Revolutionizing Proof of Location in Web3
In the latest Web3 On Fire Podcast episode, our host Rob is joined by Ryan King from FOAM to discuss the background and evolution of the project, aimed at hardware and the development of a proof of location system.
The “Web3 on Fire” podcast is back with episode 20. We had the pleasure of talking to Ryan King, co-founder of FOAM, about their groundbreaking work in proof of location technology and how it's revolutionizing the Web3 ecosystem.
Listen to the episode below:
Ryan’s journey from geopolitics to blockchain
Ryan King's journey into the tech world is anything but ordinary. With a background in political science, economics, and architecture, Ryan was drawn to the burgeoning field of blockchain technology. His initial interest in geopolitics and spatial layouts during the Arab Spring era evolved into a fascination with how technology could impact physical spaces and urban design.
The birth of FOAM
Foam Space was conceived with a vision to bridge the gap between the physical world and blockchain technology. Initially, the focus was on creating a geospatial protocol to encode coordinates on the blockchain. This early vision was akin to combining Google Maps with a Bloomberg terminal, allowing users to see spatial indicators of value on a map. However, the project quickly evolved into something much more ambitious.
Introducing proof-of-location
The concept of proof of location emerged from the realization of how easily GPS data could be spoofed. FOAM developed a hardware solution using zone anchor radios to create a local GPS network that is both bi-directional and cryptographic. This system ensures that location data is fraud-proof, verified, and trustless.
Practical applications and use cases
Proof of location technology has a myriad of potential applications. It can be used for verifying package deliveries, event NFT minting, geospecific game assets, and even industrial use cases like supply chain management. The ability to provide cryptographic proof of location opens up new possibilities for integrating physical and digital worlds in a secure and verifiable way.
From hardware to protocol
FOAM has made significant strides in hardware development, transitioning from Raspberry Pi-based nodes to custom PCB boards with FPGAs. Their current focus is on making this hardware plug-and-play, allowing anyone to set up a zone and contribute to the proof of location network. This move towards decentralization aims to empower users to create local networks and participate in the system's growth.
Collaborations and future prospects
FOAM is actively seeking partnerships and collaborations to expand the use of its technology. It is particularly interested in working with other protocols, physical event organizers, and developers of augmented reality games. By integrating proof of location with various applications, FOAM hopes to unlock innovative use cases that were previously unimaginable.
Conclusion
Ryan King and FOAM are at the forefront of a technological revolution, bringing the power of blockchain to the physical world through proof of location. The journey from architectural design to decentralized technology showcases the endless possibilities of innovation in the Web3 space. As Ryan and his team continue to develop and deploy their hardware and protocols, the future of location-based services in Web3 looks incredibly promising.
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