Unbox Smart Battery Passports: Connecting the Largest Industrial Battery manufacturer in the world to Cardano, Using Zero Knowledge Tech for Secure and private Sharing of Battery Data Across the Supply Chain While Ensuring Full Data Privacy

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Cole Bartlett

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

• EnerSys - Battery Manufacturer
• Battery Innovation Center of Indiana - BIC

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

1300000

[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] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Unbox will expand its Smart Battery Passports with ZK Tech on Cardano in Collaboration with BIC and Enersys. A compliant, scalable solution for secure data sharing, transparency, and sustainability. 

[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] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Unbox has announced open-sourcing its Infinity Protocol, allowing the community to build upon our platform. This project will continue that tradition, ensuring that all protocol components of the Smart Battery Passports are open source, enabling further innovation and collaboration within the Cardano and global blockchain communities. 

[METADATA] Horizons

RWA

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Unbox, in collaboration with the world leading Battery Innovation Center (BIC) and the largest industrial battery manufacturer in world, Enersys. Propose to further develop our innovative Battery Passport that leverages Cardano's blockchain technology to create on-chain digital passports for batteries at Enersys with Zero Knowledge Technology to overcome challenges in secure data sharing, transparency, compliance, and management of Batteries. This platform will utilize Unbox's Smart Tokens to bridge the physical and digital worlds, embedding essential values like transparency, sustainability, and security into each battery's digital identity. 

Our collaboration with Enersys and BIC started with a proof of concept that Unbox created and we are going to be leveraging our past work to make the Smart Battery Passport solution scaleable and work seamlessly on the Cardano blockchain.

Dumb vs Smart Battery Passport 

The Unbox Smart Battery Passport revolutionizes traditional battery passports, moving beyond static data to create a dynamic, interactive experience. By integrating smart data, this passport provides enhanced transparency, security, and deeper insights into each battery’s lifecycle—from its "birth certificate" at the beginning of its journey to its eventual end-of-life. It sets a new standard for battery management, making each battery a responsive, intelligent asset.

By binding physical assets to their digital counterparts, batteries become digitally native. The Unbox Smart Asset passport unlocks new capabilities for interaction with the battery, enabling two-way communication. Through this digital passport, stakeholders can ask the battery key questions or provide essential feedback, fostering a responsive and intelligent asset lifecycle. The passport can be securely shared with auditors or other stakeholders along predefined routes, enhancing accountability and aligning with the needs of a digitally native economy.

Unbox Batteries Dashboard:

Unbox Batteries Wallet:

Battery Passport Regulation:

The significance of the Battery Passport project is greatly amplified by upcoming regulatory mandates in the European Union. The EU has recently adopted a new Battery Regulation that requires all industrial and electric vehicle batteries placed on the EU market with a capacity above 2 kWh to have a digital battery passport by 2026. This regulation aims to improve sustainability and ensures responsible sourcing. Helping promote a circular economy by enhancing transparency throughout the battery's lifecycle. The digital battery passports need to contain detailed information about the battery's origin, chemistry, manufacturing history, and performance. 

• EU Battery Passport Regulation: https://www.batterytechonline.com/industry-outlook/understanding-the-eu-s-digital-battery-passport
• Battery Passport in EU Vehicles: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/battery-passports

 

This regulatory development underscores the urgent need for manufacturers to adopt compliant battery passport solutions. Our Battery Passport is perfectly positioned to meet this demand, offering a scalable, secure, and efficient system that aligns with these new EU regulations. By integrating Unbox’s solution, manufacturers can seamlessly comply with legal requirements.  

Enersys, BIC, and Unbox unlock the ability to bring real-world assets onto the Cardano blockchain and introduce a powerful use case for the technology. It enables comprehensive tracking and tracing of all elements connected with a battery, from production to end-of-life recycling.  

This not only demonstrates the versatility and robustness of the Cardano blockchain but also promotes broader industry adoption of blockchain solutions for sustainability and accountability. 

As more regions adopt similar regulations, our Battery Passport can be adopted by a wide range of manufacturers globally, further extending the impact and utility of Cardano in real-world applications. 

Key Components: 

Digital twin: The unbreakable bond between digital and physical asset

• Creates a unique, tamper-proof digital representation of each physical asset, enabling accurate tracking and monitoring throughout its lifecycle.
• Establishes a persistent digital identity for each asset, ensuring authenticity and traceability within the supply chain.

Cryptographic identifiers: Establishing cryptographic lineage and identification of assets and stakeholders

• Leverages self-sovereign identities and cryptographic lineage to verify each asset’s history, tracking its origins, handlers, and changes over time.
• Enables secure, decentralized identity management for assets, ensuring that each interaction is verifiable and logged, promoting trust and accountability.

 

Zero knowledge cryptography: creating transparent and Secure bi-directional communication channels

• Utilizes privacy-preserving cryptographic methods to enable secure data exchanges, allowing stakeholders to verify asset information without revealing sensitive details.
• Ensures confidential data insights so stakeholders can access relevant information without compromising data integrity or confidentiality.

Unbox Smart asset passport: achieving seamless asset and stakeholder management through smart ownership

• Represents ownership and access rights in a programmable, tokenized format, facilitating interactions with external systems for activities such as escrow and exchange.
• Integrates token-gated access for authorized stakeholders, enabling efficient asset management, data visibility, and seamless transactions aligned with Web3 principles.

Integrating Zero-Knowledge Technology, ZK cryptography, or Multi-Party-Computation into Battery Passports:

To enhance privacy, security, and the attractiveness of our Battery Passports, Unbox will embark on a dedicated research and development initiative to integrate ZK cryptography or Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology into our existing tools and products. Battery manufacturers are reluctant to share sensitive data with competitors, as they want to retain control over proprietary information. ZK cryptography or MPC, cutting-edge cryptographic protocols, allows parties to collaboratively compute necessary functions while keeping their inputs private. This ensures that manufacturers can share essential lifecycle data for compliance and transparency without revealing trade secrets or competitive information.

Unbox Web3 Approach to Smart Battery Passports:

Our approach decentralizes battery passport data, utilizing privacy-preserving cryptography to enable secure, zero-knowledge validation of operations. The digital twin serves as a verifiable representation, ensuring that each stakeholder's interactions with the asset are transparent and accountable without exposing sensitive information. If any stakeholder attempts to tamper with or misuse the digital twin, their actions can be detected and, if necessary, pursued with real-world legal enforcement—adding a layer of trust and compliance to the digitally native asset ecosystem.

Why This Solution Matters:

The battery industry is at a critical point, facing significant challenges in tracking ownership, monitoring lifecycle stages, and ensuring proper recycling and disposal. With the European Union's recent adoption of new Battery Regulations requiring that by 2026, all industrial and electric vehicle batteries placed on the EU market must have a digital battery passport. There is an urgent need for a standardized, compliant solution.  

Our Battery Passport directly addresses this pressing industry need by providing a scalable, secure, and efficient system built on Cardano's blockchain. By utilizing blockchain technology, we offer manufacturers a compliant solution that not only meets the new regulatory requirements but also enhances supply chain transparency and operational efficiency.  

The potential impact of our solution extends far beyond regulatory compliance. By enabling comprehensive tracking and tracing of all elements connected with a battery from production to end-of-life recycling, we bring a new class of real-world assets onto the Cardano blockchain. 

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Impact on the Cardano Community: 

Showcase Cardano's Capabilities:  

• Demonstrates how Cardano's blockchain can be utilized for real-world applications in supply chain and asset management. 

 

Increase Adoption:  

• Attracts manufacturers and consumers to the Cardano ecosystem through a user-friendly platform that simplifies blockchain interactions. 

 

Promote Sustainability:  

• Encourages environmentally friendly practices by facilitating battery recycling and proper disposal. 

 

Measuring Impact: 

Quantitative Metrics: 

• Number of battery passports created. 
• Engagement levels from manufacturers and consumers. 

Qualitative Metrics: 

• Onboarding the Battery Innovation Center Indiana and Enersys to the Cardano Blockchain. 
• Feedback from our partners and their stakeholders. 
• Showcase how Smart Battery Passports can be integrated into a regulatory compliant environment. 

Sharing Outputs: 

• Sharing the first on-chain Smart Battery Passports and additional documentation will be available to the community. 
• Regular updates and findings will be shared through community channels, reports, and possibly academic publications. 

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Unbox has a proven track record of delivering blockchain solutions across various industries, including supply chain management and asset tracking. Our existing collaboration with the Battery Innovation Center and Enersys provides industry expertise and access to real-world applications, enhancing our ability to execute the project successfully. 

Validation of Feasibility: 

Internal Testing: 

• Conduct comprehensive testing to ensure platform stability and security. 
• Perform initial minting of tokens and test functionalities in controlled environments. 

Pilot Launch: 

• Implement the platform with the first 100 batteries to demonstrate functionality. 
• Gather feedback from manufacturers and consumers to refine the platform. 

Data-Driven Refinement: 

• Use collected data to optimize and scale the platform for broader adoption. 

Main Goals:

Develop the Battery Passport Platform: 

• Create a user-friendly interface with integrated tokenization features. 
• Develop identity, asset, and attribute tokens with specific rules and conditions. 

 

Integrate Zero Knowledge Technology: 

• Research and develop ZK cryptography or Multi-Party-Computation tooling for Unbox projects starting with the Smart Battery Passport. 
• Integrate ZK tooling that all of the projects using Unbox infrastructure can utilize. 

 

Launch a Pilot with the First 100 Batteries: 

• Deploy the platform to enable real-time tracking and ownership validation. 
• Collect data and feedback for further refinement. 

 

Release a Comprehensive Light Paper and plan for full supply chain integration: 

• Outline the use case, technological approach, and potential industry impact. 
• Share insights on how the platform drives transparency and sustainability. 

 

Validation of Feasibility: 

• Successful Development and Testing: Platform functionalities operate as intended during internal tests. 
• Secured Partnerships: Formal agreements with manufacturers validate industry interest and support. 
• Pilot Data and Feedback: Positive results from the pilot launch demonstrate practicality and effectiveness. 
• Industry Engagement: Interest from stakeholders following the light paper release indicates feasibility and potential for wider adoption. 
• Scaling Plan: Create a plan to help scale the battery passport platform and prepare it for mainstream adoption. 

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Platform Architecture & Zero Knowledge Research (Months 1-2)

Output:  

• Layout initial Architecture for on-chain Smart Battery Passports
• Research Zero Knowledge integration  

Acceptance Criteria: 

• System architecture diagram showing key components and data flow.
• Modular design for battery tracking and user access control.
• Feasibility report on using Zero Knowledge Technology for data privacy.
• Zero Knowledge technology selection.

Smart Battery Passport Initial Development/ ZK Integration (Months 3-4)

Output:

• Integrate ZK research & platform architecture.
• Begin the initial Battery Passport development.

Acceptance Criteria: 

• Functional Smart Battery Passport with basic lifecycle tracking.
• ZK Technology integrated into Battery Passport

Passport Testing and ZK POC (Months 5-6)

Output:  

• Refined passport/platform ready for pilot launch.  
• Launch a Proof of Concept for ZK Tooling

 

Acceptance Criteria: 

• All functionalities tested in a controlled environment. 
• Successful initial minting of tokens. 
• Identified issues are resolved. 

ZK Integration & Pilot Launch (Month 7-8) 

Output:  

• Integrate ZK into the Unbox toolbox. 
• Prepare initial pilot with Enersys. 
• Deployment of the first Battery Passports On-Chain. 

 

Acceptance Criteria: 

• First Battery Passports created. 
• Zero Knowledge technology successfully integrated into Battery Passport. 
• Real-time tracking and ownership validation are operational. 
• Battery Passports are Updatable and have Specific Attributes. 

Research Paper and Close-Out Report (Month 9-10)

Output:  

• Comprehensive research paper and close-out report published. 

 

Acceptance Criteria: 

• Light paper and close-out report are distributed to industry stakeholders and the Cardano community. 
• Engagement and interest are generated from the release. 
• Close-out report summarizes project outcomes, lessons learned and next steps. 

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Together, Unbox, Battery Innovation Center, and Enersys are committed to developing an innovative Battery Passport that bridges the physical and digital worlds. By combining Unbox's blockchain expertise with BIC, and Enersys industry knowledge. The team aims to create a solution that promotes transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in battery management.  

This collaboration with industry partners introduces a new class of Real World Assets to the Cardano ecosystem. This solution has the potential for widespread adoption by other battery manufacturers, creating a significant ripple effect across various sectors of the battery industry. Ultimately, this project will have a positive impact on manufacturers, consumers, and the environment, setting a new standard for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. 

About BIC:

The Battery Innovation Center (BIC) is a collaborative initiative located in Indiana, USA, dedicated to the rapid development, testing, and commercialization of safe, reliable, and lightweight energy storage systems. BIC brings together industry leaders, academia, and government agencies to accelerate innovation in battery technology. The center offers state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories and manufacturing capabilities, to support research and development in energy storage solutions. BIC specializes in battery cell development, system integration, testing, validation, and certification services. BIC aims to bridge the gap between concept and commercialization, driving advancements in battery technology for commercial, defense, and academic applications. 

About Enersys:

EnerSys is a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. Headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. EnerSys provides an extensive range of batteries and energy storage systems to customers worldwide. The company’s product portfolio includes motive power batteries for industrial vehicles, reserve power batteries for telecommunications, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and utility applications, as well as specialty batteries for aerospace and defense markets. EnerSys also provides related products and services like chargers, power equipment, and battery management systems. Their solutions are designed to deliver reliable and efficient energy to support critical operations across various industries. 

Unbox Team: 

The Unbox team is spread across 17 countries and consists of almost 45 professionals including seasoned developers, finance experts, and strategists. We have expertise in several programming languages and frameworks, blockchain technologies, and creating solutions that redefine funding distribution. 

• www.unboxuniverse.com 

CEO - Erik Saelens 

Erik Saelens is the CEO and founder of Unbox. He brings three decades of experience in strategy, branding, sales, marketing, and technology. Saelens prioritises driving growth and profitability and is a renowned author and expert on brand-driven M&A and IPO strategies. Before founding Unbox, he was the founder and CEO of Brandhome, a strategic agency specialising in rebranding and renaming operations. Saelens led over 350 brand-change operations for blue-chip companies, governments and politicians across Europe, America, the Middle East, and Africa. 

• LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriksaelens/] 

CTO - Joeri Torfs 

Condemned to be free, I attempt to balance existence, roles and nothingness on my journey to be authentic. I'm passionate about Self Sovereign identity, privacy, transparency and more broadly the disruption blockchain tech is about to bring to institutions. 

Versatile manager with more than 15 years of experience supporting multidisciplinary teams of different sizes. Technophile, agile coach, trainer and change agent facilitating organisational agility and engaging workplaces. 

• LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeritorfs/] 

 

Head of Development - Benjamin Houdebert 

Software architect, Senior developer, I have a strong background in java, spring, ci, docker (...) but also in architecture and (my favorite) in api design. 

Working with the latest version of java, Quarkus, vert.x and vavr is now a real pleasure. 

Fond of functional programming FP, I do love Haskell and Purescript. 

Even if Rust is not a functional language, imperative, it brings several concept of Haskell making it something very interesting! Honestly this is at the moment my go to language. 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-houdebert/ 

CPO - James Angle 

Pioneering Web3 products that rearchitect financial value chains. Responsible for the design and implementation of multi award winning products that bring value to users and clients in the real world. Working with Government, Brands, NGOs to build and rebuild better societies for the communities we live and work in from the Middle East, Europe and the US. 

• LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesangle0/] 

 

Product Manager – Cole Bartlett 

Helping build innovative Web3 products and communities that redefine value creation through blockchain technology. Co-author of “Recalibrating Value, Identity & Impact Through the Blockchain," expertise in designing impactful, user-focused solutions that bridge sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and blockchain. A strong foundation in economics and sustainability, collaborated with a variety of projects in the sustainability, blockchain, and AI space helping implement forward-thinking strategies that foster lasting, positive change. 

• Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-bartlett/] 

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Passport/Platform Development Costs 

• 10 Months & 800 hours @150 USD/hour = 120,000 USD | Total: 10 months low rate of $0.35 EURO/USD: 342,857 ADA 

Milestone #1: 

• Development: 100 hours – 15,000 USD – 42,857 ADA 

Milestone #2: 

• Development: 200 hours – 30,000 USD – 85,714 ADA 

Milestone #3: 

• Development: 200 hours – 30,000 USD – 85,714 ADA 

Milestone #4: 

• Development 200 hours - 30,000 USD – 85,714 ADA 

Final Milestone: 

• Development: 100 hours - 15,000 USD – 42,857 ADA 

 

Zero-Knowledge Development & Research Costs 

• Development: 10 Months & 700 hours @150 USD/hour = 105,000 USD | Total: 10 months low rate of $0.35 EURO/USD: 300,000 ADA 
• Research: 10 Months & 600 hours @110 USD/hour = 66,000 USD | Total: 10 months low rate of $0.35 EURO/USD: 188,571 ADA 

 

Milestone #1: 

• Development - 100 hours – 15,000 USD – 42,857 ADA 
• Research – 100 hours – 11,000 USD – 31,428 ADA 

Milestone #2: 

• Development - 200 hours – 30,000 USD – 85,714 ADA 
• Research – 100 hours – 11,000 USD – 31,428 ADA 

Milestone #3: 

• Development - 200 hours – 30,000 USD – 85,714 ADA 
• Research – 100 hours – 11,000 USD – 31,428 ADA 

Milestone #4: 

• Development - 100 hours – 15,000 USD – 42,857 ADA 
• Research – 150 hours – 16,500 USD – 47,142 ADA 

Final Milestone: 

• Development - 100 hours – 15,000 USD – 42,857 ADA 
• Research – 150 hours – 16,500 USD – 47,142 ADA 

TOTAL: Research & Development Cost (291,000 USD / 831,428 ADA) 

--------------- 

Additional Costs: 

• Project Management, Report Writing, Milestone Submission (87,500 USD / 250,000 ADA) 
• Tools & Licensing (52,500 USD / 150,000 ADA) 
• Misc & Extra Costs (24,000 USD / 68,572 ADA) 

 

Total 1,300,000 ADA 

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

The costs are aligned with the high level of expertise and specialization required to integrate Unbox’s tokenization tools with the Battery Passport. Building a scalable system that leverages Cardano’s blockchain technology for identity management, asset tracking, and lifecycle management demands skilled professionals with deep knowledge of the Cardano ecosystem. 

By developing a robust platform that connects manufacturers, consumers, and recyclers, this project will drive community engagement, increase blockchain adoption, and showcase the power of Cardano’s technology in real-world industrial applications. The partnership between Unbox, BIC Indianan, and Enersys introduces a unique use case that will enhance Cardano’s value proposition globally. 

The global battery market size was estimated at USD 134.00 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.1% from 2024 to 2030. By integrating our Battery Passport Platform, we position Cardano to tap into this expanding market, demonstrating its potential for large-scale, real-world applications and attracting new industry partnerships. 

• https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/battery-market-size/global 

The costs are justified by the project’s commitment to industry standards, ensuring scalability, security, and long-term impact. The investment represents value for money by contributing to Cardano’s growth, driving innovation in blockchain-based supply chain management, and promoting sustainability in the battery industry.