The IoT project turns smartphones into blockchain nodes to expand connectivity

Smartphones can become an integral part of blockchain networks, driving connectivity between smart devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry.

Nodle is the company behind a connectivity platform that encourages users to become nodes in an IoT network. Using the increasing proliferation of smartphones worldwide, the network uses Bluetooth connectivity to rent computing power, storage and Bluetooth capacity to devices to expand the footprint of IoT networks.

Nodle CEO Micha Anthenor Benoliel outlined details of the project in an interview with Cointelegraph, which appears to make use of a global network of electronic devices connected via Bluetooth Low Energy communication. By leveraging the ability to communicate with smartphones through this connection, Nodle’s network leverages a worldwide array of devices and computing power without using additional hardware.

Smartphones run Nodle software and power a node to expand the network and provide resources to run what the project calls smart missions. As a new form of action-to-earn (A2E) trend, users are rewarded for keeping their app active, allowing the node to complete these smart missions.

Nodle described smart assignments as similar to smart contracts on the Ethereum network. The main difference is that these smart contracts are able to interact with the physical world and devices through the network’s smartphones.

Developers are able to create smart missions and deploy them to the network. They are also key to the ecosystem, since deploying a smart mission is funded by developer fees. Developers must also include incentive mechanisms to entice users to complete specific smart missions.

An example of a smart mission would see a user connect to a specific device or sensor within a specific geographic location and receive payment for completing the mission. Another example might ask a smartphone user to complete a specific task such as taking a photo at an event.

The concept is not unlike conventional GPU or ASIC mining, where a user provides computing power to the network for a portion of the rewards. This is usually energy intensive, which will quickly drain devices with smaller power reserves. Nodle claims the application uses up to 3% of a smartphone’s daily battery from a full charge, allowing users to continue using the device without significant strain.

Related: Little by little, blockchain technology is starting to show up around the house

The network is part of an emerging action-to-earn trend that looks to motivate users and ecosystems to perform specific tasks or actions. Benoliel said the mechanic serves two purposes, rewarding users while stimulating and contributing to the growth of the network.

Nodle has previously partnered with companies that want to use the network to run unique use cases. The app was used to run a service that used Noodle-connected smartphones to identify stolen cars through Bluetooth identifiers.

The IoT sector has also been affected by the expanding impact of blockchain technology in recent years. IoT, global engineering and technology company Bosch led the formation of a foundation that will invest $100 million in grants funding the development of Web3, artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized technologies over the next three years.