A Blockchain-based Digital Twin for IoT deployments in logistics and transportation

Abstract

Digital Twins are software technologies that enable the modelling of real-world phenomena in digitised environments, representing and monitoring the reality of various processes, including IoT deployments. Since 2017, the use of Digital Twins has been increasing. However, in the road transport and logistics realm, the adoption rate remains low, primarily due to the costs of processing and validating data in centralised scenarios, among other factors. On the other hand, Blockchain technologies were created to provide immutable and decentralised data storage in diverse scenarios, adding a layer of isolation and reliability in heterogeneous solutions. This paper presents a case study proposing a Digital Twin based on open-source Blockchain technologies, such as FIWARE Canis Major. The primary goal is to design and implement a robust and efficient open-source architecture that allows for the control and optimisation of vehicle fleet allocations in logistics/transport companies within supply chain management. This case study aims to showcase the practical application of the proposed solution in a real-world context, providing insights into its eco-friendly and low-cost attributes while opening the door to a large number of additional applications.