SSI Integration for Car Sharing

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Oussama Benmahmoud

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

oussama.benmahmoud@peak-soft.de

Additional applicants

Abderrahim Issaoui

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

10

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Identity Solutions

[METADATA] SDG rating

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - This project can help to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization through innovative use of blockchain and digital identity technologie
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - By facilitating more efficient car-sharing services, this project can contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainabl
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Through the promotion of shared economy models such as car-sharing, this project supports sustainable consumption and production pattern

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution is a digital identity verification module built on Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, specifically designed to enhance car-sharing platforms. We perceive a critical problem in the car-sharing industry as the lack of secure and efficient identity verification systems. This deficiency not only compromises user security but also limits the scalability and accessibility of car-sharing services.

Our approach is to leverage the power of blockchain technology and decentralized identities. We will create a component that can be integrated into existing and emerging car-sharing platforms. This module will enable users to verify their identities in a secure, seamless manner, thereby enhancing user experience, security, and trust.

Our project will engage car-sharing platforms and their users. For platforms, we offer an efficient, secure solution for identity verification, thereby improving their operational efficiency and customer trust. For users, we provide a secure and private way to verify their identity, improving their experience and safety.

We will demonstrate our impact through pilot integrations with car-sharing platforms, tracking metrics such as user adoption rates, reduction in identity fraud incidents, and user satisfaction levels. Our ultimate goal is to see our module become a standard component of car-sharing platforms globally.

Our solution is unique in its focus on leveraging decentralized identity for car-sharing services, which is a first in the industry. The beneficiaries are car-sharing platforms and their users, but the impact extends to the broader Cardano ecosystem. It showcases the practical, real-world utility of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, driving adoption, and demonstrating the transformative power of decentralized technologies in everyday life. This, we believe, is crucial to Cardano's mission of democratizing finance and empowering individuals through decentralization.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution addresses the challenge of "Atala PRISM: Launch Ecosystem" by focusing on developing a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) solution for carsharing systems built on Cardano's Atala PRISM. The challenge emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and coordinating business needs along with the technical implementation. Our proposal aims to integrate these aspects seamlessly.

By implementing our solution, we plan to bring together key stakeholders in the carsharing sector, including carsharing companies, users, government entities, insurance companies, and policy makers. Our solution will foster efficient coordination between these entities, creating a streamlined, user-friendly, and regulation-compliant identity system.

We understand the importance of collaboration and communication with the involved parties. Hence, our project includes activities such as the identification of stakeholder requirements, regular meetings, and the establishment of a home base for participants to join and contribute to the ecosystem and its governance. 

Success, for us, will not only be about developing a technologically sound solution, but also fostering relationships with key stakeholders and understanding their needs to create a more impactful product. We aim to facilitate a smooth interaction between carsharing drivers, carsharing companies, SSI networks, trust frameworks, and registries. This interaction will allow for an efficient and secure verification of driving licenses and identities.

We will complete the Atala PRISM Pioneer Program and attend a Governance Framework workshop. We are ready to establish or join a Governance Framework working group at Trust over IP or another host organization. 

Our commitment to these activities underscores our dedication to the wider Cardano ecosystem. By showcasing the real-world application of Atala PRISM in the carsharing sector, we believe we will highlight the potential of Cardano's technologies to solve complex problems, and thus bring value to the Cardano ecosystem.

In terms of impact, our project will enhance Cardano's reputation as a solution provider for complex, real-world challenges. The project, while not bringing direct users or transactions to the Cardano ecosystem immediately, is an investment in the future, potentially attracting more stakeholders and influencing lawmakers and regulators. 

As a European company with a robust team and a proven track record in connected car projects, we're confident in our ability to execute this project successfully and contribute significantly to the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

In line with the nature of our project as an MVP and an open-source endeavor, we will predominantly use qualitative measures to evaluate its success.

1. Stakeholder Engagement: Our first measure of success will be the level of engagement from stakeholders
2. Completion of Identified Goals: Successful completion of key goals, such as completing the Atala PRISM Pioneer Program, attending a Governance Framework workshop, and either establishing or joining a Governance Framework working group, will serve as significant milestones indicating the progress of our project
3. Technical Achievement: We'll gauge success based on the successful development and deployment of the SSI solution for the carsharing industry
4. Contribution to the Ecosystem: Another critical measure will be the project's contribution to the Cardano ecosystem

In the short term, the innovation is expected to boost Cardano's reputation as a versatile and practical platform for real-world solutions, potentially leading to an increase in interest and engagement from developers and businesses. In the long term, our project will set a precedent for other industries looking to leverage blockchain technology for identity verification, thereby contributing to Cardano's growth and productivity. 

It's important to note that while our measures of success are qualitative, they are tangible and realistic. They align with the project's goals and the nature of our open-source project.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Our project, as an open-source endeavor, is designed with transparency and collaboration in mind. We are committed to sharing the project's outputs and results with a wide array of stakeholders within the Cardano community and the broader mobility industry.

1. GitHub Repository: All technical outputs, including codebase, documentation, and architecture diagrams, will be made available in a public GitHub repository
2. Regular Progress Updates: We will share regular progress reports with the Cardano community via social media channels, blog posts, and the Cardano Forum
3. Webinars and Q&A Sessions: To ensure transparency and open communication, we plan to host webinars and Q&A sessions at key project milestone
4. Engagement with Stakeholders: We will maintain close communication with key stakeholders such as carsharing companies, users, government entities, insurance companies, and policy maker
5. Project Reports and Blog Posts: To disseminate our results within the wider community and beyond, we'll write comprehensive project reports and blog posts detailing the project's findings, achievements, and future prospect

Regarding further research and development, the insights and results generated from this project will guide our future endeavors in the Cardano ecosystem and the SSI domain. We believe that the lessons learned and the technologies developed during this project will be invaluable for our future initiatives.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

As PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, we bring an extensive range of skills and experiences to the table, making us uniquely positioned to deliver this project.

• Company Reputation and Track Record: Over the years, we have established ourselves as a trusted entity, working with large-scale applications and big clients. Our projects' success, including partnerships with leading German automakers, underscores our ability to deliver high-quality results and manage large-scale projects efficiently.
• Solid Team Foundation: Our company boasts six full-time employees, each bringing their expertise in diverse disciplines such as software development, quality assurance, project management, and blockchain technology. This strong internal structure will ensure that all aspects of our project are managed effectively.
• Extended Resources: Beyond our internal team, we have access to an extensive network of external consultants. Should the need arise, we can swiftly deploy additional resources to ensure our project progresses without disruption.
• Web2 and Web3 Expertise: Our team members are pioneers in both web2 and web3 technologies. We have in-depth experience in large-scale software quality assurance and application development. Furthermore, our involvement as Plutus Pioneers and Atala PRISM Pioneers showcases our deep-rooted understanding and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Transparency and Accountability: We prioritize maintaining clear communication with the community. Regular progress reports and periodic webinars and Q&A sessions will be organized to keep stakeholders updated. Our stringent budgeting and auditing procedures will ensure that funds are managed appropriately and used as intended.

While our current budget allows for the completion of our proposed project, we may consider seeking additional funding in future Catalyst rounds. This would enable us to introduce new features and expand our project's scope. Any additional funding required will be detailed in a separate, new proposal.

To track the progress of our project, we'll implement Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, and set clear acceptance criteria for each project component and deliverable. We'll also make use of Scrum boards and product backlogs to provide a transparent and constantly updated view of our progress.

For us, success is not merely about reaching milestones. It also involves accomplishing our established acceptance criteria and user stories within our sprints, and successfully delivering the first product increment within the proposed timeline. In essence, success means delivering a product that meets our high-quality standards and offers real value to the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Our project's primary goals center on building an MVP for a self-sovereign identity (SSI) solution specifically tailored to carsharing solutions, using Cardano's Atala PRISM as the foundational technology. Given the nature of this project, our goals are largely qualitative, aiming to deliver a working module that can integrate with existing and new carsharing platforms, thereby facilitating a smoother and more privacy-conscious user experience.

The main goals for this project include:

1. Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Our most immediate goal is to develop an MVP for the carsharing SSI solution
2. Achieving Compatibility with Existing and New Carsharing Solutions: The developed SSI component should be readily integrable with both established carsharing solutions and upcoming decentralized ones. 
3. Ensuring Compliance with Upcoming EU Regulations: The SSI module must be developed with a future-proof design that can align with the expected EU laws, specifically the forthcoming eiDAS 2.0 regulation
4. Promoting User Privacy and Data Protection: The solution should offer a streamlined user journey without compromising on data privacy

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will employ several strategies:

Peer Review and Open Source Collaboration: By making our project open source, we invite external input and validation. We'll ask the broader development community and our peers in the Cardano ecosystem to review our architecture and code, providing valuable feedback and potential enhancements.

Integration and Compatibility Testing: We'll work closely with existing carsharing solutions to test the integration of our SSI module. Successful integration and performance during these tests will validate our approach.

Adherence to Regulations: We'll closely monitor the development of relevant EU regulations to ensure our solution aligns with them. Compliance with these regulations will be a key indicator of our approach's feasibility.

Feedback from Key Stakeholders: We'll engage with stakeholders such as carsharing companies, government entities, insurance companies, and users to obtain their feedback on our solution's functionality, usability, and relevance. Their feedback will be crucial for validating our approach.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Planning

• Brief Description: In this phase, we'll define project scope, finalize the project plan, and conduct a kickoff meeting with all key stakeholders. We'll also complete the initial analysis of regulatory requirements and the specific needs of carsharing platforms. 

• Key Tasks: Define project scope, develop project plan, conduct kickoff meeting, perform regulatory analysis and stakeholder needs assessment. 

• Timeline: 1 month

Milestone 2: Development of SSI Module

• Brief Description: Development of the SSI module based on Cardano's Atala PRISM will begin. This involves building the module to handle digital identities, verify driving licenses, and facilitate secure, privacy-preserving interactions.

• Key Tasks: Design SSI module, develop functionalities, conduct unit and integration testing. 

• Timeline: 4 months

Milestone 3: Pilot Integration and Testing

• Brief Description: In this phase, we'll integrate the SSI module into a carsharing platform for testing purposes. This will provide us with valuable insights into its real-world functionality and allow us to fix any bugs or issues that may arise.

• Key Tasks: Integrate SSI module with a carsharing platform, conduct user acceptance testing, address bugs and issues.

• Timeline: 3 months

Milestone 4: Stakeholder Engagement and Education

• Brief Description: Conduct stakeholder workshops to gather feedback, create awareness about the solution, and promote adoption.

• Key Tasks: Organize workshops, gather feedback, and use feedback to refine the SSI module and governance framework.

• Timeline: 1 month

Milestone 5 Governance Framework Development and Review

• Brief Description: The final stage will involve developing a governance framework that will guide the structure, coordination, and overall management of the project. The framework will then be reviewed internally and externally.

• Key Tasks: Develop governance framework, review internally and externally, make necessary revisions.

• Timeline: 1 month

The success of each milestone will be determined based on the completion of the key tasks and the achievement of the objectives set for each milestone. Regular reviews will be conducted to monitor progress and make adjustments as necessary.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Planning

• Deliverables and Outputs: Project plan, project scope, initial regulatory analysis report, stakeholder needs assessment report.
• Intended Outcomes: Clear understanding of the project scope, timelines, roles and responsibilities, and the regulatory landscape. Identification of stakeholder needs and integration of these needs into the project plan.
• Measurements: Project kickoff meeting conducted, project plan, and scope defined, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder needs assessment reports completed.

Milestone 2: Development of SSI Module

• Deliverables and Outputs: Design documents for the SSI module, source code, unit and integration testing reports.
• Intended Outcomes: Functional SSI module capable of handling digital identities, verifying driving licenses, and facilitating secure, privacy-preserving interactions.
• Measurements: Completion of the design, development, and testing of the SSI module, all documented in respective reports.

Milestone 3: Pilot Integration and Testing

• Deliverables and Outputs: Integration scripts and logs, user acceptance testing (UAT) report, issue logs, and resolution documentation.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful integration of the SSI module into a carsharing platform and completion of user acceptance testing, leading to a robust and well-tested system ready for use.
• Measurements: Successful integration of the SSI module, completion of UAT, resolution of identified bugs or issues.

Milestone 4: Stakeholder Engagement and Education

• Deliverables and Outputs: Workshop materials, feedback reports, refinement action plans based on feedback.
• Intended Outcomes: Greater awareness and understanding of the solution among stakeholders, valuable feedback to refine the SSI module and governance framework, and increased propensity for adoption.
• Measurements: Number of workshops conducted, quantity and quality of feedback received, and subsequent actions taken to refine the system based on feedback.

Milestone 5: Governance Framework Development and Review

• Deliverables and Outputs: Draft and final governance framework documents, internal and external review reports.
• Intended Outcomes: An agreed-upon governance framework to guide the structure, coordination, and overall management of the project.
• Measurements: Completion and acceptance of the governance framework, positive feedback from internal and external reviews.

Progress will be measured against the key deliverables and outcomes for each milestone. Regular reviews will be conducted to ensure the project is on track and meeting its objectives. Metrics will include the completion of key tasks, the quality of deliverables, and the achievement of intended outcomes.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Planning - 60,000 ADA

• Costs in this phase will go towards activities related to project planning, stakeholder identification and engagement, and the initial analysis of regulatory requirements. 

Milestone 2: Development of SSI Module - 150,000 ADA

• This allocation is primarily for the design and development of the SSI module, which includes costs associated with coding, testing, and initial debugging.

Milestone 3: Pilot Integration and Testing - 120,000 ADA

• This budget allocation will be used to cover the costs of integrating the SSI module into the carsharing platform for testing, addressing any arising issues, and user acceptance testing.

Milestone 4: Stakeholder Engagement and Education - 60,000 ADA

• These funds will be used to organize stakeholder workshops, gather feedback, and use the feedback to refine the SSI module and governance framework.

Milestone 5: Governance Framework Development and Review - 60,000 ADA

• The final allocation will cover costs associated with developing, reviewing, and refining the governance framework based on internal and external feedback.

Each budget allocation is inclusive of any associated third-party costs, community engagement, project management, documentation, and reporting back to the community. The project team will manage the funds responsibly, ensuring that the project stays within budget while achieving its key milestones.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The budget for our project is set at 450,000 ADA, and while this may seem substantial, the value that it can bring to the Cardano ecosystem, in terms of both technological advancements and the community growth, justifies this cost.

The project focuses on developing a digital identity solution using Atala PRISM, an essential component in the blockchain industry, particularly in the context of decentralized identity and data privacy. The cost associated with the development of such an application reflects the complexity and sophistication of the task. It considers the requirement for skilled blockchain developers and experts who are often in high demand and, therefore, command higher than average compensation rates.

Furthermore, the project doesn't just develop a solution but also aims to incorporate it in a real-world context, i.e., carsharing platforms, which includes the integration and testing cost. The project also focuses on engagement with stakeholders and community, the development and refinement of a governance framework, all of which are critical for the project's long-term success and sustainability but require resources to be executed effectively.

The costs have been estimated based on the standard rates for software development projects, considering both the time needed and the skill level required for each phase. We've also taken into account the potential costs of unforeseen complications or delays that could arise during development and testing.

In terms of the value to the Cardano ecosystem, this project will not only add a functional and tested application to the suite of available tools on Cardano but it will also foster increased adoption and innovation. By demonstrating the practical use case of Atala PRISM, we'll attract more users and developers to the ecosystem, leading to increased network activity and transaction volumes, which benefit the entire ecosystem.

In summary, the project aims to deliver significant value by enhancing the Cardano ecosystem's functionality, driving adoption, and demonstrating a practical implementation of decentralized identity, all of which significantly outweighs the initial cost outlay.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept