Up until recently devices connected to the Internet were relatively simple: gathering data, controlling lights, displaying information or some other mundane task. These devices were all controlled and managed from company servers or from a cloud platform. Not often were devices created, connected and left to manage themselves.

This is changing. We are now seeing a shift to devices that are able to interact with the world around them. Not just as simple input/output devices but as economic agents that can advertise, purchase, and sell goods and services. The driving force behind this change is the rapid development of blockchain and distributed ledgers (DLT).

In our first blog post, we explored our unique DLT and the use cases of our technology. It showed off some of the applications that our community has built. However, to better understand the impact that this can have on how we live in the future, check out the video below.

This video explains just one way technologies, such as IOTA, can change the way the devices and humans interact; how they exchange information and how they exchange value. Blockchain and DLTs open up a world of possibilities when designing the world around us.

Our Hackster contest, which ends in just a few days, has been focused on just this: redesigning the world around us.

The contest is centered around the built environment; the cities we live in and how they are becoming smarter:

Smart Mobility: How can vehicles engage in transactional data for things like fleet infrastructure and predictive maintenance?

Smart Energy: How can we trace the green origin of electricity from source to delivery?

Smart Buildings: Enhancing the performance of commercial buildings and attractiveness for tenants?

Smart Districts: Developing integrated approaches for IoT and data infrastructure within cities?

Each of these themes challenges the participants to create a new way of interacting with their city; making it smarter and creating value for its inhabitants and if you are up for the challenge you have the chance to win a share of $10,000 USD worth of prizes.

So if you have a few spare hours and want to learn more about how blockchain can shape the future, join our contest here. We’re excited to see what you come up with!