ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ML/Dapps

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem.

We can create a trustworthy technology-enabled decision-making system on blockchain that provides frictionless information access to Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence training models.

[GENERAL] Summarize your relevant experience.

Founded in 2008, our Company has more than 14 years experience in developing & building interactive robots. We specialized in AI & ML and created the Patented and Open-Source Social Robot “Q.bo”. We were successfully funded in Catalyst FUND 5 (Completed) & FUND 8 (Ongoing).

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

This proposal is a continuation of our proposals in FUND 5 and FUND 8 ( Ongoing ), in which we created a proof-of-concept piece of software to upload trained and encrypted messages/images on the Cardano blockchain. Some Universities that have some units of our robot are currently testing our company's repositories based on the Cardano blockchain.

• Oxford University
• Stanford University
• Osaka University
• Cambridge University
• YONSEI UNIVERSITY ( Seoul )
• Physics and Electronics University of York
• Seoul National University
• UPM in Madrid
• Freie Universität Berlin
• and many more....

The Problem in Context

Human decision making is often irrational and biased. Group decisions have dynamic interactions that further complicate the choice process and frequently result in outcomes that are suboptimal for both the individual and the collective, and for a trained artificial intelligence system in a centralized system it can be easily hacked.

Example to understand easily:

• In Robotics: Imagine a swarm of "Cop Robots" that patrol the streets greeting people and looking ( OpenCV VISION ) for antisocial behaviors. These robots could communicate (VOICE RECOGNITION or CLOUD COMPUTING ) over a blockchain and have action-triggers with smart-contracts. These could run when they spot one person hurting another, to have the system vote on the best strategy to approach the scene or to call for help. But to achieve this type of behavior, it is necessary that smart-contracts have improved security and are able to interact with information from outside the blockchain. Imagine if someone is hacking a centralized and private cloud service and decides to shoot.

• Valid for Autonomous Cars: Kill the pedestrian or the passenger? The complicated ethics of self-driving cars. Imagine this scenario: You’re driving down the road when suddenly, out of nowhere, a lone pedestrian jumps into your path. The road is narrow and walled in by a barrier on either side, so your options are limited. You can either keep driving straight ahead and hit the pedestrian, or you can save the pedestrian by swerving into one of the barriers. What do you choose?

Now imagine the scenario where there are five or ten pedestrians on that road instead of one. Does that answer change? What if they were kids? 

In the real world, rare though such scenarios might be, the driver would likely be forced to make a split-second decision about how to behave -- a choice that he or she probably wouldn’t even have time to fully think through.

But coming up with responses to these situations becomes a little more pressing when we consider the possibility that self-driving vehicles might one day be making these decisions for us -- which means engineers must figure out the best and most ethical ways to program them for such situations ahead of time.

SOLUTION

In facilitating the decision process for Robotics and that autonomous vehicle in situations like these, the blockchain can be part of the answer as it can have millions of trained decisions under the AI/ML decision library and accept the best decisions - even at the expense of the passenger (well, at least the kids live to see another day and you could still have a high probability of surviving the crash). We can make this happen in private and public servers with the proof of concept of each decision uploaded to the Cardano Blockchain. 

Once the new Open Source API for our SDK is finalized, we can send it to all our community so that they can validate and provide feedback for them. There will be a ready set of users for the new API/SDK that link to the Blockchain.

[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

In creating this decision making system on the Cardano Blockchain, we are able to address two challenges:-

1. Proof of concept for a decentralized decision making system on a blockchain.
2. Proof of value that a decentralized decision making system on a blockchain is more trustworthy than a centralized system.

We believe our project will open doors for use and validation of such architecture on the Cardano blockchain in future.

How can we incorporate new developers to the Cardano Blockchain?

We can start with developing an Open Source API and SDK for AI/ML applications in Natural Language and Speech Recognition which can be tested with our Open Sourced robots. This forms the baseline for integration with other tool sets to test AI/ML applications and algorithms with training data on the blockchain.

Over the last 14 years, we have a wide and strong community in various universities and research centers for our open source robots. They help build Q.bo's open source platform on GITLAB. Our existing SDK allows us to develop Computer Vision, Natural Language and Speech Recognition applications.

In this third phase ( FUND9 ) of development, we want to create a new intermediate layer (API) that serves as an intercom between the operating system and the robot to take and make deccissions. This will allow all these centers that work with our robot to develop new applications on the Blockchain and have it tested on the robot.

This will be the baseline model of how blockchain can be used to validate and acquire data models for AI/ML applications.

How are we going to reach new developers in the future?

Once the new Dapp for our SDK is finalized, we can send it to all our community so that they can validate and provide feedback for them. It is a ready set of users for the new API/SDK that link to the Blockchain.

In 2017 we launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo with great success since in just over 1 month we raised more than $ 200,000.

• INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN

Our intention is that throughout 2022 or 2023 we will launch another new campaign with the fully finished SDK with support for Cardano Blockchain in the two largest crowdfunding companies in the world, Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which will give greater visibility to the Cardano project and attract new users and developers to the ecosystem that is constantly expanding and evolving.

[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

1. Challenge: Sending messages (large text or images) may be expensive in terms of currency. Possible Solution: Hybrid Model: Heavy information stored in a public database, certification upload to the Cardano Blockchain.
2. Challenge: Synchronization between multiple nodes (robots) may be problematic. Possible Solution: Create a queue system to manage the message receiving/sending.
3. Challenge: Adaptation to Raspberry Pi 4. Possible Solution: Optimize and test all the system for a Raspberry Pi.
4. Challenge: Public databases are not stable over time. Possible Solution: Use DOI to always assure the access to critical items.
5. Challenge: Deploy the same configuration over different units. Possible Solution: Use of Nix and .nix files.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

4 Month | WP1 - Develop the Database System Create a new solid Database using PostgreSQL + Source Code - We need to mix the Trained Models we made in FUND5 & FUND8 with the new Database.

4 Month | WP2 - Develop the server/unit network Develop the code to run the server/unit network communication + API/SDK

3 Month | WP3 - Deployment of a Server/Unit network ( robot ). Deploy the first Server Unit network to.

2 Month | WP3 - Communication Testing. Test the communication between two networks and robots.

3 Weeks | WP4 - Database Management Test the behavior of the database. Optional: Include DOI

M1 - Working PostgreSQL Database working with the selected data.

M2 - Deploy a test network of 6-9 robots and a server.

M3 - Successful communication between two networks. Mo - Working DOI to tag the new trained databases.

M4 - Operative Message System.

D1 - Source code of the Database ( Gitlab Repositories )

D2 - Source code for the server/unit communication. ( Gitlab Repositories )

D3 - Source code (allegedly .nix files) for the RPI4 unit deployment. ( Gitlab Repositories )

Output: Six ( 2 Servers from Fund8 & 4 Servers from Fund9 ) fully communicated server/unit networks.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

What are we going to spend the money on?

We want to maintain part of the FUND8 team and create a new team of engineers and developers within our company that specialized in working with Blockchain as well as build a new RACK of 8 new servers for sending vision, speech and recognition data and patterns of "proof" to the Cardano´s network.

With the rest of the money we will send updated robots to some universities that can help us improve the API of our SDK, some of them will be in Africa.

Putting a Price on a Vision

In order to bring their vision into reality our project is seeking a budget of $248.707. This will oversee phase one of their proposal, which will be divided as follows.

Six team members

USD 30 hourly rate

40hs avg per week per person

Estimated Total of 24 weeks

• $30 x 40 hs/week x 6 people x 24 weeks of total work = $172.800
• HP Enterprise ProLiant DL380 Gen10 826566-B21 Server Rack. Each Unit $9.000 x 4 units= $36.000
• HP JD206A XFP Switch Module 10GBPS = $9.827
• Rack Open Frame $500
• 20 robots to send to universities and technology centers for testing $699 x 20units= $13.980
• Marketing & Promoting ( FB & GA ) = $15.600
• Extra = $1.293

They would like to emphasise that the above does not mean all members will be working 40 hours a week, for the entire 24 weeks. It's merely an estimate of the overall linear team effort required. Tasks will be prioritized and distributed according to skills, as needed. The budget and deliverables for each task will be estimated and agreed upon by the team. This is in line with the same principles our project aspires to uphold. We need to build and test "real" robots to send to universities or researchers too.

The rest of the money will be for mini servers and robots for the community in order to test the API.

The public date launch will be at the end of the year. Betatesters will have a demo months before the end date.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

We were the first company in the world to demonstrate a robot recognizing itself in the mirror and having two robots share image recognition data in the cloud across two different cities (Barcelona & Valencia). We can build a technology-enabled decision-making system on the Cardano Blockchain that provides frictionless information access to Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence training models.

• We are Pioneers in "Robotic" Cloud Computing

In 2011, we performed in "real time" at different locations (Barcelona & Valencia) in front of hundreds of witnesses on Q.bo's ability to learn and share information in a "centralized" cloud computing system. We want to expand this initiative to cover information sharing and learning in a decentralized network. Imagine thousands of robots sharing and learning in a decentralized network? That is our goal!

You can see the video here ( Spanish Version ):

• Company Accolades

1. In 2011, Our Company was also named by Intel to be one of the most promising companies in 10 years to come.
2. Top 1% crowdfunded product in Indiegogo in 2017 raising over 380% of original sales target.
3. Q.bo One is one of 3 projects unveiled at IBM Partner Conference in 2017.
4. Featured by Arrow (Fortune 500 Company) on how we win the trust of backers during the crowdfunding exercise.

• About Us

Our company is a developer and maker of Interactive Robots. We have sold over a thousand robots to Partners & Customers from 49 Countries in 6 Continents. Some customers include IBM, ASUS, INTEL, Disney, Sopra Steria among others.

• The Team behind our Robots & Technology

There is a large team of experienced, passionate creative and dedicated people behind the making of our robots who are beyond excited about opening day to share a Robot Experience story. We have highlighted below our creative and tech partners who have turned the Experience into a state-of-the-art, interactive showcase.

Our team is the same team which has programed and developed 3 generations of robots and sold over a thousand robots to 48 countries and collaborated with hundreds of Universities around the world with the likes of Stanford University, Cambridge University, TU München, UPM in Madrid, Freie Universität Berlin, Leiden University, YONSEI UNIVERSITY ( Seoul ), Institute of Computer Technology, Seoul National University, Physics and Electronics University of York, University of Malta, University of Iowa, Seoul National University, Osaka University and many more....

[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

Our team expect to complete this project with this round of funding. With this funding, we can create a POC of the decision-making system as well as a POV that such system on a blockchain is more trustworthy than a centralized system. Notwithstanding, if there is a demand from the community with extensions or enhancement to the project, for example to adapt the project to certain voting mechanism on the blockchain, we could return to Catalyst for funding to those extensions. Otherwise, we will accomplish what we set out to do with this round of funding.

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?

[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

Development progress will be audited by:

• Our big community around the world. We have a forum with more than 2.800,- users working and development apps for our robot. You can enter here.
• Commits to our open-source GitLab repo, You can see here.
• Assign, manage and deliver tasks,
• Gather, manage and solve problems, bugs, etc.
• Publishing documentation in our blog. You can see here.

KPIs:

• Number of signatures made.
• Number of documents stored in our servers.
• Number of registered users around the world.
• Number of generated smart contracts that realize specialized workflows.

[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?

Deployment of 6 ( 2 of them from previous funds in Catalyst ) fully communicated server/unit networks able to send and receive messages and certify them using the Cardano blockchain. Metadata of this messages should be stored and trained in the new database hold by the server with the given format.

Following the open source standards, all code generated during this project will be licensed under the LGPLv3 license.

[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

This proposal is a continuation of our previous project funded in CATALYST. FUNDED PROPOSALS (F5 & F8)

in which we created a proof-of-concept piece of software to upload encrypted messages/images to the Cardano blockchain and send a messages with the transaction id (txid) to a listening client. Now we want to improve both the storage and classification of the messages, and the scope (multiple units) of the project.

Our first proposal covers the 1st phase of the project, this proposal covers a new phase of the project and seeks to create a proof-of-concept Proof of decentralized decision making system on a blockchain.

Now we want to propose the creation of servers for a given network of operating units (robots) that will be in charge of coordinate message sending/receiving operations that may be certified via the Cardano Blockchain. This project is valid and applicable for Autonomous cars too.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating

SDG goals:

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (-> by providing a library of business workflows, easy signing of contracts)

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation (promotes inclusive and sustainable digitalization of many business processes)

SDG subgoals:

10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard (-> make it equally to verifiably sign documents on all continents with internet access)

7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (-> by shared multitenant SaaS infrastructure for signing, and economical, decentralized storage of these documents)

8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors (-> increase value of contracts by making them verifiable, at the same increasing value of signature by integrating the process)

8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10‑Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead