IoT Startup: The Ethereum Computer is Going to Change Everything

The German startup Slock.it which specializes in Ethereum blockchain data and focuses on the Internet of Things (IoT) has announced over their blog they are creating a new device. Stephen Tual the Co-founder and COO of Slock.it told the world via their blog, “we’re building the Ethereum computer and it’s going to be awesome.” Much like the 21inc computer this miniature device they say will be an optimized node, miner, and all in one Dapp maker that includes the browser Mist.

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“The Ethereum Computer is putting identity, funds and personal information back under the users’ control, and we think it’s going to change everything.” — Stephen Tual, Co-founder of Slock.it

The team has three founders, Simon Jentzsch, Christoph Jentzsch, and Stephen Tual, who say their management brings with them years of IT experience and expertise with blockchain solutions. The startup has been bolstering the dream of smart contracts powered by Ethereum embedded into multiple IoT devices and applications since the company started. Slock.it began in June of 2015 yet was officially announced at Devcon One event showing its Ethereum Computer performing various locking requests. Not only were simple applications handled like locking doors but other more extravagant ideas were discussed involving an array of protocols for the future. The autonomy of devices they plan to create working with micropayment solutions and smart contract applications is the next step into the IoT landscape.

‘A secure gateway to web 3.0’

Co-founder Stephen Tual writes that their computer is “the easiest entry point to the world of Ethereum, without having to struggle setting up a client, or buying ether from an exchange.” Slock.it claims the device will manage users permissions and identity with strong encryption. The contraption showcased and demonstrated at the Devcon One event provided a locking system but to the team that concept is a very simple start to the list of IoT solutions using the Ethereum client. Co-founder Christoph Jentzsch told IBTimes UK:

“The smart contract itself is very simple, anyone can read it and understand it immediately. We’ve put some effort in optimizing it for readability. The open and close lock functions, which are the most used, are only 10 or 20 lines of code . It’s a really simple example of a smart contract, and a very powerful one.”

Slock says the new computer will be an easier way of browsing Dapps, acting as a web gatekeeper, and a development platform for all things IoT related. Some of the use case examples they give are rather interesting. The blog written by Tual reads: “Home automation, meet e-commerce” and gives some insight to the various applications this network will handle.

Imagine your refrigerator making its own ice and washing machines adding its own soap. The array of control these IoT network devices will provide will be monumental, and Slock.it wants to be a part of that evolution. Just as the 21 Computer can mine, the Ethereum device can also mine for micropayment solutions, and fuel for your smart contracts with ETH. The device they say is also open source, hackable and developers should be able to create Dapps with everything they need all in one package.

“We want to put the Ethereum Computer into as many hands as possible, and bring decentralized technology to the mainstream,” says the company who wants to bring IoT to the masses. The official project Slock anticipates will be available in 2017, but those who want to get involved early may contact their slack channels.

What do you think of the Ethereum Computer? Let us know in the comments below.

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