The TruBlo Project Boosts Digital Trust with Blockchain

The TruBlo project, a collaborative effort funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 program and coordinated by Worldline, has come to an end. In this blog post we dive into the remarkable achievements of the TruBlo project, which has significantly advanced blockchain applications in creating reliable content. We explore the collective successes of the 45 third-party projects that have been funded throughout the three years project duration, and the overall impact that they have made on the blockchain landscape. Whether you're a Worldline customer, shareholder, or simply curious about blockchain's potential, this article provides you with clear, concise insights into the innovations that are paving the way for a more trustworthy digital world.

The TruBlo consortium

In the digital world, trust is the cornerstone of content consumption. The TruBlo project is at the forefront of this challenge, leveraging blockchain technology to ensure the creation of trustable content. With an ever-increasing volume of information online and the challenges posed by new technologies, such as generative AI that can lead to issues like automated propaganda, blockchain's role in this endeavor is pivotal, providing a decentralized and secure framework and offering a solution to the growing concerns around misinformation and the authenticity of digital content.

The TruBlo project has achieved significant technological milestones, fostering innovation and tangible technological progress in areas crucial for ensuring trust and reliability in digital content. One of the key achievements includes the development of demonstrators and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that address the challenges identified within TruBlo's focus areas. These MVPs have been instrumental in showcasing the practical application of blockchain technology in sectors such as agriculture, retail, aviation, and media.

The TruBlo project has integrated the KTH Innovation Management Methodology, which has been instrumental in recording how the 45 funded projects handle innovation. This methodology encompasses seven readiness levels, including the TRL and the Scientific Readiness Level (SRL), which reflect the maturity of technologies and scientific advancements respectively. The additional five readiness levels—Customer Readiness Level (CRL), Business Model Readiness Level (BRL), IPR Readiness Level (IPRL), Team Readiness Level (TMRL), and Funding Readiness Level (FRL)—ensure a holistic view of each project's development. These levels help confirm customer interest, establish financial and environmental viability, clarify legal and IP situations, align team competencies, and secure necessary funding. This structured approach has enabled TruBlo-funded projects to achieve beyond-the-state-of-art status, creating novel technologies and MVPs with high technological and scientific value.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) achieved by the TruBlo funded projects

The TruBlo project built its innovative ecosystem by conducting three open calls, which were instrumental in selecting 45 projects for funding out of more than 300 received proposals. The selection process was designed to identify and support the most promising initiatives in the realm of trust and blockchain. Each call followed a multi-phase evaluation methodology, including eligibility checks, external expert evaluations, and a consensus meeting to ensure a fair and transparent process. The chosen projects not only demonstrated exceptional potential in advancing blockchain technology for trustable content but also aligned with TruBlo's strategic objectives and the broader goals of the Next Generation Internet initiative.

The TruBlo project's funding framework was strategically divided into two distinct phases to optimize the development and impact of the selected initiatives. Phase 1, the 'Feasibility Phase,' was designed to support the 45 projects in exploring the viability of their ideas, conducting market analysis, and developing initial prototypes. This phase was crucial for setting the foundation for further innovation. Subsequently, 9 projects out of the 45 projects were selected to go to Phase 2, the 'Implementation Phase,' focused on advancing the projects that successfully demonstrated their potential in Phase 1. This two-phase approach ensured that only the most promising projects with a clear path to market and societal impact received additional support to bring their solutions to completion.

The supported 45 third-party projects have made significant strides in their respective fields, demonstrating the power of blockchain technology to address real-world challenges. From them, the 9 phase-2 projects notable success stories stand out for their scientific results and developed demonstrators.

FAKE: This project tackles the pervasive issue of fake news by developing a system using blockchain technology designed to debunk fake news before it spreads. FAKE provides a digital content authority proof, which has shown effectiveness in simulations for identifying fake news and malicious sources.

LedgeAir: Focused on the aviation industry, LedgeAir aggregates and analyzes radio messages to improve awareness about aircraft, passengers, cargo, routes, fuel, and maintenance, leading to optimized operations, safety, and efficiency, ensuring also strict adherence to safety regulations and leveraging data analysis for better decision-making.

OttCT: This project has developed a blockchain-based solution to ensure the authenticity and integrity of over-the-top (OTT) content. By creating a transparent and tamper-proof system, OttCT provides a way for content creators and distributors to protect their intellectual property and for consumers to verify the legitimacy of the content they consume.

POSER: POSER has focused on enhancing the reliability of social media content by developing a blockchain-based system for content verification. This project aims to empower users to distinguish between genuine and manipulated content, thereby fostering a more trustworthy social media environment.

TrueBees: TrueBees has created a blockchain-based platform for verifying the authenticity of digital credentials. This project addresses the challenge of credential fraud by providing a secure and transparent verification process, which is particularly valuable in the education and employment sectors.

Re-Taled: Re-Taled has created a blockchain solution for the retail industry, focusing on improving customer loyalty programs. By providing a secure and transparent system for managing loyalty points, Re-Taled enhances the customer experience and fosters brand loyalty.

Da Vinci: The Da Vinci project has leveraged blockchain technology to develop a system for secure and verifiable data sharing in the healthcare sector. By ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of patient data, Da Vinci facilitates better healthcare outcomes and fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers.

PROVIDENCE: This project has developed a blockchain-based system for verifying the provenance of goods, particularly in the supply chain industry. PROVIDENCE enhances transparency and trust by allowing consumers to trace the origin and journey of products, from production to retail.

VeriSimpleDC: VeriSimpleDC has developed a blockchain-based system for simplifying and securing the documentation process in the logistics industry. This project streamlines the handling of shipping documents, reducing the risk of fraud and errors, and improving the efficiency of the supply chain.

Each of these projects has contributed to the TruBlo ecosystem by demonstrating the versatility and impact of blockchain technology across various industries. Their success stories highlight the potential for blockchain to provide innovative solutions to longstanding challenges, reinforcing the mission of TruBlo to foster trustable content in the digital age.

The TruBlo project has established a lasting impact by fostering a sustainable ecosystem for blockchain innovation, with a focus on trust and content authenticity. Its sustainability is ensured through the dissemination of knowledge, tools, and best practices, which are readily accessible on the TruBlo web site (www.trublo.eu), offering a wealth of resources that can be utilized for future projects and enabling entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry professionals to leverage the project's findings and continue advancing the field. The project's emphasis on collaboration and open-source principles has cultivated a community that is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of digital trust, ensuring that the benefits of TruBlo's work will continue driving innovation and trust in the digital content landscape.

The TruBlo project has fostered innovation through its support of groundbreaking third-party projects, development of robust resources, and cultivation of a vibrant community, and has laid the groundwork for sustainable innovation in the blockchain space to ensure that trust remains at the core of our increasingly interconnected world.