Researching and Applying RFID to Identify Physical Products on the Blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Do Thi Ngoc Yen

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

6

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

Yes

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

Integrating RFID/NFC with Blockchain to track and store product data from creation ensures safety, transparency, and traceability within the supply chain.

[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

The project will be released under the MIT license, allowing the community to use and further develop it.

[METADATA] Horizons

Identity & Verification

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem the Project Aims to Solve

1. Security and Transparency:

• Security: Strong encryption algorithms help protect data and prevent unauthorized access. Moreover, the decentralized nature of Blockchain also helps prevent attacks by requiring consensus from the majority of the network.
• Transparency: Public Blockchains allow everyone to verify transactions without the need for an intermediary, fostering trust and enhancing accountability.

1. Ease of Data Retrieval:

• Due to the immutable nature of Blockchain, every transaction or change is permanently stored, making it possible to retrieve a complete and accurate history. This can greatly support industries that require swift verification and data traceability.

Reason for the Approach

Using RFID/NFC simplifies the identification of physical products, while Blockchain provides a highly secure, tamper-proof system. This combination creates an optimal solution for traceability and data security in industries such as supply chain, agriculture, and logistics.

Target Audience

1. Blockchain Developers:

• Learning Opportunity: They can expand their skills and knowledge in integrating Blockchain with RFID/NFC technology.
• Collaboration and Networking: By joining a community of experts, developers gain the opportunity to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals.
• Real-World Project: The chance to work on a real-world project, improving their portfolio and gaining valuable experience.

1. Supply Chain Enterprises:

• Increased Transparency: The solution allows businesses to easily track and verify the origin of products, reducing the risk of fraud.
• Improved Efficiency: Operations become more efficient due to the quick and accurate retrieval of data.
• Building Customer Trust: With clear and transparent information, businesses can build stronger trust with their customers.

1. Product Managers:

• Smarter Decision-Making: Accurate and easily accessible data helps them make decisions based on real-time information.
• Optimize Product Development Processes: Supply chain data can be used to improve product quality and development processes.
• Develop Management Skills: Engaging with an innovative system helps them enhance their management skills and understanding of emerging technologies.

Demonstrating Impact

Impact of the Project:

1. Number of Interested Parties:

• Blockchain Developers: With the rapid growth of Blockchain ecosystems, particularly in supply chain-related fields, integrating Blockchain with RFID/NFC will attract interest from developers. An estimated 500-1,000 developers will be interested in and explore this solution, especially within Blockchain development communities like Ethereum and Cardano.
• Supply Chain Enterprises: The demand for transparent supply chain tracking and anti-counterfeiting measures is increasing. The project may attract 200-500 businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and agriculture. These companies will see the potential to improve product origin management and reduce fraud risks through Blockchain and RFID technology.
• Product Managers: Product managers, especially in industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods, will be interested in integrating RFID/NFC with Blockchain to optimize product tracking and management. An estimated 100-300 product managers will be interested in applying this technology to enhance their management processes.

1. Number of Users:

• Enterprises Using RFID/NFC Combined with Blockchain: The project can become a popular solution for enterprises looking to improve transparency and product traceability. Within 1-3 years after the project is implemented, it is projected that 50-100 businesses will adopt this technology for supply chain management.
• End Consumers: Transparency in the supply chain process will directly benefit consumers. Consumers can use Blockchain-integrated applications to track and verify product origins. It is estimated that thousands of consumers will benefit from using such applications.

1. Efficiency and Process Improvement Metrics:

• Reduction in Operating Costs: Businesses adopting this system can reduce costs related to inventory, tracking, and product management. The project has the potential to reduce operating costs by 15-25% through process automation and minimizing errors in goods management.
• Improved Data Processing Speed: Integrating RFID/NFC with Blockchain will increase the speed of data processing related to physical products, from scanning RFID tags to recording information on Blockchain. Processing speed could improve by up to 40% compared to traditional management processes.
• Transparency and Fraud Prevention: Storing immutable information on Blockchain will help reduce the risk of fraud by at least 30% in the supply chain. This is especially useful in industries prone to counterfeiting, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods.

Unique Solution

The solution integrates Blockchain with RFID/NFC, enhancing the traceability and security of physical products. It offers significant benefits to industries related to supply chain, agriculture, and logistics, expanding Blockchain’s practical applications in real-world scenarios and adding value to the Cardano community.

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

Value to the Cardano Community

Our project has the potential to bring significant value to the Cardano ecosystem by demonstrating a practical application of blockchain technology, particularly in the fields of supply chain transparency and product authentication. By integrating RFID technology with the Cardano blockchain, we aim to show how blockchain can address real-world challenges in industries such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and food safety.

Benefits for the Cardano Community Include:

Impact Measurement

We will measure the impact of the project through both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

Quantitative Metrics:

• The number of products registered on the Cardano blockchain using RFID tags.
• The number of transactions recorded on the blockchain related to the movement and authentication of products.
• Reduction in counterfeit products in industries that adopt the solution, which can be tracked by comparing data before and after implementation.
• Increased user engagement, such as the number of consumers scanning RFID tags to verify product authenticity.
• Adoption rate by manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, measured by the number of businesses participating.

Qualitative Metrics:

• Feedback from Stakeholders: Gather feedback from manufacturers, retailers, and consumers on how the solution has improved transparency and trust in the supply chain.
• Consumer Trust: Evaluate the level of trust consumers have in verified products compared to non-verified products.
• Improved Regulatory Compliance: Measure how the solution helps companies comply with safety and product authentication regulations.

Sharing Results and Opportunities

To ensure that the Cardano community benefits from our project, we will share our findings and insights in the following ways:

• Open-Source Contribution: We plan to release key components of the project, such as the RFID-blockchain integration framework and smart contracts, as open-source tools for the community to use and improve.

  

• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano developer community, sharing updates, challenges, and lessons learned through forums, blog posts, and technical articles.

• Pilot Project Results: After implementing pilot projects, we will share detailed case studies, data, and impact assessments to demonstrate how our solution can be applied across various industries.

• Collaboration with Other Projects on Cardano: We aim to foster collaboration with other teams working on supply chain or product authentication solutions within the Cardano ecosystem, creating a synchronized ecosystem.

[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?

1. Current Capabilities Description

Although the team has no prior experience with Blockchain and RFID, we possess essential core capabilities to successfully develop and implement the project:

• Programming Knowledge: While we haven't directly worked with Blockchain or RFID, we have programming experience in popular languages such as Python and JavaScript, and have participated in various IT projects. This allows us to quickly learn and apply new technologies.
• Technology Research and Learning Skills: Our team has experience in researching and learning new technologies. We are capable of self-learning and utilizing useful resources from the open-source community and reputable online courses.
• System Thinking and Project Management: We have experience managing software projects from conceptualization and requirement analysis to deployment and testing, ensuring that the project will follow a structured process.

2. Why We Are Suitable for This Project

Although our team lacks specific experience with Blockchain and RFID, we believe we are the right team for this project for the following reasons:

• Eagerness to Learn and Master New Technologies: We have successfully researched and quickly adapted to new technologies in the past. For this project, the team will dedicate time to learning from comprehensive materials and courses about Blockchain and RFID, while experimenting with development tools such as Truffle (for Blockchain) and RFID development kits.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Our team has worked on several complex projects, requiring quick adaptation to new situations and finding optimal solutions. This will help us address challenges in implementing RFID and Blockchain technology.
• Commitment to Quality and Responsibility: We are committed to delivering the project with a high level of responsibility. Development steps will be closely monitored to ensure transparency, security, and continuous system functionality.
• Demonstrated Ability to Learn and Implement New Technologies: In the past, our team has successfully learned and implemented new technologies in areas like AI-based image recognition and building mobile applications from scratch, proving our ability to quickly acquire and apply new skills.

3. Resource Management Process

Although the team has no prior experience with Blockchain and RFID, we will follow a strict resource management process with the following steps:

• Stage 1: Research and Learning:
• All team members will participate in an in-depth course on Blockchain and RFID, aiming to master the foundational knowledge before moving into practical implementation.
• Identify the necessary resources such as development tools, RFID kits, and appropriate Blockchain platforms (Ethereum, Cardano, or a testnet).
• Stage 2: Project Planning:
• Develop a detailed project plan and assign tasks to each member based on their strengths.
• Create a list of required resources for each phase (e.g., RFID tags, RFID readers, smart contract deployment fees on Blockchain testnet).
• Stage 3: Budget and Resource Allocation:
• Allocate resources effectively, focusing on key aspects such as learning, development, and testing.
• Monitor costs to ensure financial resources are used efficiently and appropriately.
• Stage 4: Testing and Evaluation:
• Conduct RFID and Blockchain integration tests. Perform unit testing and integration testing to ensure smooth operation of all components.
• Report test results, adjust, and improve the system based on feedback.
• Stage 5: Deployment and Maintenance:
• Deploy the system in a real-world environment and monitor its performance to detect and fix issues promptly.
• Ensure the system operates stably and apply updates as necessary.

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

Milestone 1: Research and Requirement Analysis

A: Milestone Outputs

• Study and analyze the practicality and usefulness of RFID/NFC technology in the Blockchain domain.
• Research RFID/NFC and Blockchain technology.
• Provide a list of challenges and barriers that need to be addressed for the technology being studied.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Complete and detailed identification of the system's functional and non-functional requirements.
• A detailed list of technologies related to RFID/NFC and Blockchain.

Milestone 2: RFID/NFC System Development

A: Milestone Outputs

• Conceptualize and design the system model.
• Build an integrated RFID/NFC system for the identification of physical products.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• A basic RFID/NFC system that can identify physical products.
• A test interface for displaying and storing data through RFID/NFC.

Milestone 3: Deployment on Blockchain

A: Milestone Outputs

• Deploy the RFID/NFC-based physical product identification system onto the Cardano Blockchain.
• Conduct identification, storage, and retrieval of product data through Blockchain in practice.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The system can store product data via RFID/NFC on the Blockchain.
• Data is retrievable from the Blockchain, ensuring transparency and security.

Milestone 4: System Testing and Debugging

A: Milestone Outputs

• Report on the testing process and identify issues that need modification.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• The system operates stably with physical products in a test environment.
• Issues are documented and resolved, and the system is optimized.

Milestone 5: Project Evaluation and Reporting (1 month)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Evaluate the deployment results and provide a summary report for the project.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Complete the final report on the project's effectiveness, benefits, and challenges.
• Provide a video demo of the system in real-world operation.
• Suggest future improvements.

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

Project Team Members:

Do Thi Ngo Yen: Development Team Leader

- GitHub Link: https://github.com/fromDtoY

- LinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yendo1306/

- Role: Responsible for leading the team, planning, and coordinating work. Conduct in-depth research on Blockchain technologies related to physical product identification. Ensure successful integration between Blockchain and data from RFID/NFC.

Nguyen Van Manh: RFID/NFC Specialist

- GitHub Link: https://github.com/VanManh-2k4/Nguy-n-V-n-M-nh.git

- LinkedIn Link: www.linkedin.com/in/mạnh-nguyễn-văn-253a92331

- Role: Research and master the storage and extraction of data through RFID/NFC tags. Ensure that product identification information is stored accurately and securely.

Nguyen Duc Nguyen: Data Security Specialist

- GitHub Link: https://github.com/T1-Duc-Nguyen

- LinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duc-nguyen-545103332/

- Role: Ensure data security on the transmission channel between RFID/NFC and Blockchain. Research security protocols and ways to protect data during recording and storage.

Vu Quang Vinh: Data Storage and Management Specialist

- GitHub Link: https://github.com/VuCoangVinh/VuQuangVinh.git

- LinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinh-vu-43aa91331

- Role: Responsible for data storage and management, including recording and tracking changes from physical products (planting date, harvesting date, harvest facility, etc.). Explore ways to continuously update information on Blockchain through RFID/NFC.

Tran Minh Ngoc: Developer and Presenter

- GitHub Link: https://github.com/TMNgoc0210

- LinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinh-vu-43aa91331

- Role: Perform the demo of writing data to Blockchain through RFID/NFC tags. Support other members in integration and presenting results to the group.

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

Milestone 1: Requirements Gathering and Analysis (1 month)

• Personnel (requirements gathering and analysis)
• Research on RFID/NFC technology and Blockchain
• Project management (reporting, meetings, documentation)

Milestone 2: Development of the RFID/NFC System (2 months)

• RFID/NFC system development (programming and system integration)
• Procurement of RFID/NFC hardware
• Development of Blockchain integration layer

Milestone 3: Testing and Optimization (1 month)

• System testing (QA and debugging)
• Bug fixing and system performance optimization
• Final documentation and reporting

Milestone 4: Blockchain Deployment (1 month)

• Deployment of system on Blockchain
• Blockchain transaction fees
• Security audits and data retrieval testing

Milestone 5: Project Evaluation and Final Reporting (1 month)

• Final project evaluation
• Demo video preparation and project report
• Final documentation and dissemination

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

Alignment with Cardano's goals:

The project integrates RFID/NFC technology with Blockchain, providing efficient and transparent solutions for tracking physical assets. This not only enhances the system's usability but also aligns with Cardano's mission of advancing decentralized and secure technologies.

Research and Development Costs (Milestones 1 and 2):

Costs for personnel and technology research in the first milestone, along with the development of the RFID/NFC system in the second milestone, represent investments in expertise and advanced technologies. While these costs may seem high, they are necessary to ensure the project is implemented with the highest quality, minimizing risks in later stages.

Testing and Optimization (Milestone 3):

The total cost for testing and optimization is essential to ensure that the system operates safely and efficiently. Particularly in the Blockchain field, investing in testing and security is crucial, as any vulnerabilities could lead to serious losses for users and the ecosystem.

Deployment and Maintenance (Milestone 4):

The cost for deployment on Blockchain, including transaction fees and security checks, is reasonable considering the importance of security and reliability in a decentralized system. These costs ensure that the project meets the highest standards and can function in a real-world environment.

Evaluation and Reporting (Milestone 5):

The cost for evaluating project results and preparing final documentation is necessary to ensure that the project's outcomes are recorded and can be shared with the community. This not only demonstrates transparency but also enhances Cardano's credibility within the Blockchain community.

How Costs Were Determined

The project's costs were determined based on the following factors:

• Average industry wages: Costs for personnel and development were calculated based on the average salary for Blockchain experts. These costs are in line with the current job market, ensuring qualified professionals are hired for the project.
• Equipment and technology costs: The cost of RFID/NFC equipment was estimated based on current market prices. Investing in high-quality equipment is essential to ensure system stability and performance.
• Project management costs: Management, reporting, and documentation costs ensure the project is executed in an organized manner and can be evaluated. This helps maintain coordination within the team and with stakeholders.