Blockchain applications can increase efficiency in the global mobility supply chain
Revolutions in mobility require a fast and secure supply chain, and emerging digital technologies can provide the tools needed to enable this
Ford, DENSO, and AWS are among many mobility and technology leaders collaborating with MOBI to roll out industry-wide blockchain-based standards to ensure sustainable sourcing and help track vehicle parts, such as EV batteries, throughout production, use, maintenance, and end of life.
As the vehicle supply chain consists of multiple levels of stakeholders, including manufacturers, tiered parts suppliers, distributors, repair shops and logistics providers, fragmentation can occur, causing challenges. This was shown clearly in the recent global shortage of semiconductors.
MOBI aim to tackle this, creating its Supply Chain Working Group with the goal of enabling secure data exchange and enhancing parts-tracking and traceability. In pursuit of its goal, the working group examined the vehicle parts traceability problem and identified areas of process inefficiencies and communication barriers. They were grouped into seven distinct use cases including business process management, manufacturing, parts traceability and recall management, consumption, ethical sourcing and sustainability, transportation and logistics, and finance and payments
By using blockchain as a trust anchor, stakeholders can share data and participate in multi-party use cases whilst maintaining privacy and confidentiality in peer-to-peer communications. The standards also include the creation of decentralized parts identifiers to facilitate two-way traceability along the supply chain and open new opportunities for the rapidly growing EV battery market.
"Consumers increasingly demand sustainable mobility, such as electric vehicles, and advanced technology, like connected telematics, autonomous driving, and advanced safety features," said Tram Vo, Co-director and Founder of MOBI. "The standards released by the SC Working Group provide vehicle OEMs and other ecosystem stakeholders with the framework to create a comprehensive, industry-wide, secure data management system that can be used for greater visibility into their global supply chain and facilitate seamless communication to manage production, maintenance, safety, and meet consumer and regulatory demands."