The Philippines has taken a daring step in integrating blockchain know-how into its transportation trade. Digital foreign money trade Cash.ph, world ride-hailing platform inDrive, and decentralized mapping community Hivemapper have joined forces to unveil the nation’s first blockchain-powered fleet.
Formally launched on December 5, this initiative goals to empower Filipino drivers with further earnings alternatives whereas contributing to a decentralized mapping community.
“We wish to empower Filipinos to earn by way of the alternatives that crypto and Web3 present,” mentioned Wei Zhou, CEO of Cash.ph. “With this partnership, we’re remodeling how bodily infrastructure is constructed and monetized. This exemplifies the ability of blockchain to generate real-world influence and create new incomes alternatives for on a regular basis Filipinos.”
Merging blockchain and ride-hailing
The mission employs DePIN (Decentralized Bodily Infrastructure Networks) know-how, merging blockchain with conventional ride-hailing companies. Collaborating autos are geared up with Hivemapper’s mapping units, enabling drivers to gather and contribute real-time mapping information whereas navigating Metro Manila.
This decentralized mapping strategy delivers hyper-accurate information essential for city planning, site visitors administration, and location-based companies.
“Individuals love the concept of serving to construct a decentralized world map the place the those who construct the map additionally take part within the economics of the map,” mentioned Ariel Seidman, CEO and Co-Founding father of Hivemapper, explaining the broader attraction.
Incomes tokens for contributions
Filipino drivers taking part within the initiative earn $HONEY tokens for his or her mapping contributions, creating an extra income stream alongside their common ride-hailing earnings. These tokens may be securely saved and managed on the Cash.ph platform.
“For drivers, it means getting paid for driving round Metro Manila, one thing they already do every single day. Why not use know-how to show these actions into further earnings?” Zhou emphasised this in an electronic mail interview with CoinGeek.
Drivers have varied choices for managing their rewards.
“$HONEY tokens may be securely saved within the Cash.ph pockets,” Zhou defined. “By means of Cash, they’ll simply convert $HONEY to PHP, maintain it, or switch it as wanted. Our platform ensures a seamless expertise, making it easy to go from receiving rewards to changing tokens into fiat.”
Empowering drivers with blockchain
Talking with CoinGeek, inDrive mentioned the collaboration aligns with the ride-hailing platform’s mission to foster group empowerment and sustainable earnings alternatives.
“This partnership represents a big step in direction of integrating blockchain know-how into the ride-hailing ecosystem, setting a precedent for innovation and driver empowerment,” mentioned Sofia Guinto, Head of Enterprise for the Philippines at inDrive.
“By providing drivers an extra earnings stream by way of blockchain-powered mapping, we aren’t solely redefining driver engagement but additionally demonstrating how know-how can handle financial challenges. Globally, this initiative might encourage different markets to undertake related fashions, positioning ride-hailing as a pioneer in creating inclusive and sustainable earnings alternatives whereas advancing know-how adoption within the trade,” Guinto mentioned, highlighting the transformative potential of this mannequin.
Furthermore, the rewards system focuses on the standard of the mapping information drivers present relatively than the variety of rides they full. This permits drivers to earn at their very own tempo, free from the constraints of inflexible schedules.
Overcoming challenges in implementation
Implementing blockchain-powered mapping units introduced a number of challenges, notably in logistics and training. Many drivers lack familiarity with blockchain know-how, which might restrict participation. To deal with this, the partnership has prioritized driver training.
“We’re specializing in drivers with a fundamental understanding for the pilot section,” Guinto defined. “Moreover, we’re collaborating with Cash.ph to develop accessible and sensible cryptocurrency training sources, making certain that every one drivers can confidently interact with this system because it scales.”
Privateness issues had been one other important consideration. Hivemapper advised CoinGeek that they guarantee strong information privateness by incorporating options corresponding to blurring identifiable particulars and utilizing nameless usernames.
“We’ve labored extensively with regulators to make sure the best ranges of privateness,” Seidman famous.
He additionally highlighted the distinctive benefit of Hivemapper’s real-time intelligence.
“Google Maps and Waze don’t see the bodily work in real-time, that means they depend on people to report points like roadwork or accidents. Hivemapper, however, has clever cameras that may see and perceive what is going on.”
Seidman emphasised the long-term imaginative and prescient: “Billions of customers and thousands and thousands of companies depend on maps every day. As we transition these clients to Hivemapper, that drives demand and due to this fact worth into the token.”
A imaginative and prescient for the longer term
The blockchain-powered fleet indicators the potential for blockchain to rework industries past finance.
“Attaining density of protection is important,” Seidman mentioned. “In Manila, we purpose to see each problem—building, site visitors accidents, police exercise—utilizing these learnings to scale related initiatives in different metro areas worldwide.”
Cash.ph views the mission as a stepping stone to broader adoption, with Zhou explaining that “Our mission is to empower Filipinos to earn and construct wealth by way of crypto and Web3,” including, “This mission is a stepping stone to develop this mannequin throughout different trade verticals.”
Reworking transportation
By combining blockchain know-how with current ride-hailing companies, the initiative not solely empowers Filipino drivers but additionally helps city improvement. The decentralized mapping community provides immense potential for addressing real-world challenges whereas making a extra inclusive economic system.
“This collaboration is a testomony to the potential of innovation to drive progress and create lasting influence,” Guinto concluded.
Because the Philippines embraces blockchain-powered transportation, this initiative units a precedent for integrating superior know-how into on a regular basis programs, fostering financial development and technological innovation.
Watch: The Philippines is on the forefront of blockchain tech adoption
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