Toyota is actively developing blockchain technologies to improve processes related to mobility and management of automotive assets. This includes the creation of 'Trust Chains' for verifying relationships between parties.
Current-Day Obstacles
Toyota proposed a concept called Mobility-Oriented Account (MOA) to understand this space from the perspective of the connection between the user and mobility. Although the initiative aimed to describe mobility as an 'abstract account', it showcased that this notion could not completely capture the complex relationships involved.
Their most recent paper is a continuation of the research from a different point of view. MOA attempted to outline mobility from an individual entity, whereas the current goal is to describe it with the network in mind. Mobility is now being reimagined as a valuable asset that generates value.
Mobility Orchestration Network (MON)
MON is a new concept representing a protocol-layer blockchain architecture designed to orchestrate trust and unlock the value of mobility assets across organizational, industrial, and national boundaries. This is achieved by combining three on-chain verified proofs, or Trust Chains, as a single one cannot fully outline the value of a mobility asset:
* Institutional Proof: Vehicle title/registration, insurance compliance, to establish legality. * Technical Proof: VIN, manufacturing data, sensor integrity, to ensure it’s fit for purpose. * Economic Proof: Usage metrics, maintenance, and revenue history, to attest to economic value.
This concept addresses the organizational gap and helps to connect various sectors, thereby reinforcing the value of mobility.
Real-World Implementation
So far, it has been outlined how Trust Chains can help define the on-chain identity of a mobility asset. MOA functions as a container for it, holding the proofs it carries, but to grasp different types of information, it’s split into two distinct accounts:
* T‑MOA (Trust-side): Holds finalized institutional and economic proofs. * U‑MOA (Utility-side): Manages real-time operational verifications (e.g., driver credentials, vehicle status).
Additionally, a tokenization framework must be present, enabling a gradual transition from non-fungible mobility ownership (via NFTs) to fungible financial assets.
Thus, Toyota continues to explore the potential of blockchain for certain aspects of mobility, which may lead to significant changes in how automotive assets are accounted for and managed.
