Robonomics

Abstract

Can or should a robot ever engage in a financial transaction with a human? If so, how? How about an enforceable agreement? Blockchain technology has enabled the development of cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and unlocked a plethora of other disruptive technologies. But, beyond its use case in cryptocurrencies, and in network coordination, blockchain technology may have serious sociotechnical implications in the future co-existence of robots and humans. Motivated by the recent explosion of interest around blockchains, and our extensive work on open-source blockchain technology and its integration into robotics - this paper addresses these questions and provides insights into how blockchains and other decentralized technologies can impact our interactions with robots and enable the social integration of robots into human society.