ROS-Ethereum: A Convenient Tool to Bridge ROS and Blockchain (Ethereum)

Abstract

Robot Operating System (ROS) has received widespread utilization with the development of robotics, self-driving, etc., recently. Meanwhile, the other technology blockchain is frequently applied to various fields with its trustworthy characteristics and immutability in data storage. However, ROS has no ability to interact with the blockchain, which hinders research in related fields. Therefore, we wonder if we can develop a convenient tool to bridge ROS and blockchain. Inspired by this, we propose ROS-Ethereum. It bridges ROS and Ethereum, a widely used blockchain platform. ROS-Ethereum is based on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) communication mechanism and the SM algorithm family along with Ethereum technology. Simply put, ROS-Ethereum allows users to invoke the contract when interacting with the blockchain, which makes this process easier and safer. We conduct experiments in real robots to verify the effectiveness of ROS-Ethereum and evaluate it from the following metrics: (1) the encryption efficiency and stability of the algorithm and (2) ROS-Ethereum transaction response time and packet loss rate.

PrivShieldROS: An Extended Robot Operating System Integrating Ethereum and Interplanetary File System for Enhanced Sensor Data Privacy

“…Zhang et al bridge ROS and the Ethereum blockchain through the Ros-Ethereum tool, providing AuthROS, a new solution for secure data sharing among robots. This solution uses smart contracts and SM encryption technology to ensure the security of data transmission and the immutable nature of private data flows [1,3]. Mallikarachchi et al implemented the collaborative task management of different types of robots through the Swarm Contracts smart contract framework, marking the first practical application of ROS integration with the Ethereum blockchain while maintaining interoperability and trust [4].…”

Applications of Distributed Ledger Technologies in Robotics

“…Systems can be packed to enable an out of the box plug and play type scenario. Although increasing, a limited number of applications of ROS and DLT have been found including a ROS-Ethereum covenant bridging tool [49], ROS-Ethereum bridge for smart factories [33], a ROS2-Hyperledger Fabric application [50], and a Multyi-UAV system using ROS1 [51].…”

Estudo de Oráculos em Neo para Auditoria de Dados de Robótica Móvel em Locais Remotos

“…Já em [Ferrer et al 2022], é proposto a utilizac ¸ão de blockchain como ferramenta de comunicac ¸ão de forma a garantir que, se um robô bizantino, que age de forma maliciosa, tentar modificar o conteúdo de um bloco na rede, a consequência será uma mudanc ¸a na hash de forma que este bloco perderá sua conexão com os anteriores. Por fim, em [Zhang et al 2022], é proposto um framework envolvendo o ROS e a rede do Ethereum, onde os usuários não precisam se preocupar com a implementac ¸ão da transac ¸ão ou algoritmos de criptografia, focando apenas em inserir o nome dos tópicos que queiram transmitir dados. Os testes foram rodados em uma rede Ethereum privada, com 3 nós e o robô conectado diretamente ao nó mestre do ROS.…”