Real-world DePIN embedded in sports cars, starting with McLaren GT4

Minima, a fully decentralized and device-agnostic layer-1 (L1) blockchain for DePIN projects, is working with data management platform Influx Technology to integrate a blockchain-powered data tracker into a McLaren GT4 supercar, which was tested during the British GT testing day of Spa-Francorchamps this June.

As of May 2024, AntPool and Foundry USA have collectively amassed control of 56.4% of Bitcoin’s hashrate, a significant increase from their nearly 50% share in February. This concentration of hash power grants these mining pools substantial influence over the Bitcoin network, including the ability to censor transactions by selectively choosing which blocks to mine.

This consolidation of power raises concerns about the potential for transaction censorship within the network. As centralization creeps in, the very principles that underpin blockchain technology —security, transparency and resilience— are put at risk.

Percentage of Bitcoin hashrate controlled by the largest mining pools as of May 15, 2024. Source: HashrateIndex.com

To genuinely adhere to the ethos of decentralization, blockchain technology must transcend these limitations and strive for an infrastructure that welcomes all participants, regardless of their hardware capabilities.

True decentralization with lower requirements

Minima’s compact blockchain protocol, developed to be downloaded and run on mobile phones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and lightweight computers, creates a network where high-end, expensive equipment isn’t a prerequisite for contribution and participation of the network. Every node is equal and runs seamlessly as a standalone application, providing the user with a fully constructing and validating node. Minima’s lightweight design enables all users to be equal participants in the network for real-world applications. Uniquely, Minima achieves scalability without compromising security and decentralization.

Powered by a large and engaged community of over 50,000 node operators, Minima is advancing its goal of becoming the blockchain with the largest number of full nodes in the world. The development team aims to increase this number as it develops decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) partnerships and encourages adoption across global industries. The ultimate goal is to become the largest, most decentralized and most distributed L1 blockchain in the DePIN space.

Importantly, Minima has benefited from recent cryptography development and utilizes a quantum-resistant cryptography algorithm, ensuring future-proof security. Bitcoin, on the other hand, uses cryptography that is vulnerable to quantum hacking quantum computers that threaten existing cryptographic systems.

The minimum system requirements for memory and processing power are significantly lower than those of the dominant blockchains. With the low requirements, developers can scale DePIN more efficiently, enabling the decentralized and transparent management of physical devices.

Minima’s very low system specification for memory and hard disk requirements allows users to run a node on mobile phones and lightweight devices. Source: Minima

As a peer-to-peer network run entirely by individual users on their mobile devices, Minima made a move in early 2024 to disconnect its remaining company servers and relay nodes. In doing so, Minima created a global blockchain network that is maintained and secured by its users without intervention from any third party. The Minima blockchain network runs entirely through node operators, with every node validating and propagating transactions. And, since every node is a full node that runs locally on a device, as Minima scales, its network becomes more resilient as it becomes increasingly distributed: true decentralization.

Real-time vehicle data attestation on the blockchain

Designed for DePIN projects, Minima has collaborated with data platform Influx Technology to integrate a blockchain-powered data tracker into the McLaren GT4 supercar. The data logger captures data directly from the vehicle’s engine and records a hash of the data on the blockchain. The technology was successfully integrated and tested during the British GT championship testing day at Spa-Francorchamps in June.

🚨 A WORLD 1ST IN MOTORSPORT 🚨

Minima X McLaren RaceCars 🏎️

We’re thrilled to announce Minima is powering the world’s 1st on-chain DEPIN race-data logger in a McLaren GT4 supercar at the famous Spa Race Course this year

Watch the trailer for this game-changing technology 🔽 pic.twitter.com/dyoTUneoGi

— Minima (@Minima_Global) June 12, 2024

The data logger collects real-time data on hundreds of vehicle parameters, including ignition timing, braking, oil pressure, engine temperature, steering angle and gear shifting. These critical data points can determine victory or defeat in races where even fractions of a second are vital. Using Minima’s infrastructure, the data logger can be stored on any device or in the cloud.

Ensuring fair competition with a balance of performance

Race organizers face the constant challenge of ensuring that all competitors adhere to strict regulations designed to level the playing field. Balance of Performance (BoP) is a regulatory mechanism designed to ensure parity among competing vehicles by adjusting various performance parameters. In sports car racing, BoP prevents any single manufacturer from dominating by tweaking aspects such as torque, weight and aerodynamics.

BoP adjustments are based on extensive testing, analysis of race data, and sometimes even real-time monitoring. The goal is to create a level playing field where different car models can compete fairly without leading to an expensive arms race among manufacturers. Data regarding the car’s specifications and setup can be logged on a blockchain, allowing officials to verify compliance with competition rules and regulations quickly. By doing so, organizers can determine winners more efficiently and accurately, reducing the time and resources spent on post-race inspections.

Any deviations from the approved setup can be immediately detected and addressed, ensuring that all participants compete fairly. This real-time auditing capability is a significant improvement over traditional methods, which often involve lengthy post-race inspections and manual data verification.

Looking ahead, Minima envisions a future where DePIN is smoothly integrated into everyday life, allowing average users to take an active role in the Web3 ecosystem. As decentralization continues to evolve, the digital future will become more transparent, secure, and equitable. Minima aims to facilitate this transformation by enabling DePIN projects to build on the L1, ensuring it remains the only blockchain resistant to censorship and control because it doesn’t have any centrally controlled nodes.