DID-IMP uses blockchain technology to eliminate the need for traditional hierarchical structures like Certificate Authorities (CA) and Registration Authorities (RA). Instead, it replaces these with a feeless blockchain smart contract, which also serves as a Certificate Store for issuing and managing revocable certificates. This streamlined architecture is ideal for IoT Secure Automatic Data Sharing (SADS), enhancing data traceability, security, and flow. It helps reduce administrative overhead, saves time and money, and supports compliance with global regulations by tracking data transfers and regulatory characteristics through blockchain-based transactions.
Can you briefly present your team?
Werenode’s team for DID-IMP comprises the following members:
- Benoît Maïsseu (DID-IMP Project Manager, Werenode CEO, CentraleSupélec 1996, Economics La Sorbonne) was formerly head of the development of the electrical and electronic components of the first Renault EV of the Li-Ion battery generation. Lately, he was Strategy Director for Electric Vehicles and Robotic Vehicles for the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance.
- François Chiron (DID-IMP Technical Leader, Werenode CTO, Polytechnique 1992) is an expert in cybersecurity, AI, and internet of things. He was previously CTO of Bitzuri, one of the first African exchanges. François Chiron also founded UVW, a company that developed an E2E solution for mobile phone payments in Kenya.
- Evgenii Zhdarkin (DID-IMP & Werenode Developer, BSc in Maths and Computer Science from Novosibirsk State University and Dipl. Eng. ISAE-SupAéro 2024) is a skilled Blockchain developer with over two years of experience He has a strong foundation in smart contract development and testing, gained through roles at Rock’n’Block and ScientificCoin.
The team members comprise a wide range of skill sets from IoT technical know-how to blockchain experts with deep software engineering expertise.
How did you come up with this project idea and what benefits will it bring to the end users?
Benoît Maïsseu and François Chiron are designing new applications for their open IoT control platform which was partly developed for Werenode and DEFev projects and which is used as a core component of DECO project (Decentralized Energy Communities). In this context, we identified the need for a Secure Automatic Data Sharing tool for this IoT solution. DID-IMP is the realisation of this idea.
The DID-IMP project is revolutionizing IoT data security by creating a decentralized public key infrastructure, with blockchain-driven smart contracts to enable secure, traceable, and feeless data sharing across connected devices. DID-IMP addresses several user needs. Indeed, our solution is building a trusted and open certificate issuance and revocation mechanism. Furthermore, the proposed system maintains the privacy and traceability of the identity credentials once shared with a third party. We build a key tool connecting digital identities to IoT devices as value-added data sources and services enablers. This will allow some concrete real-life services including Connected Cars, Remote healthcare, Cognitive Cities, Energy Management, Smart Homes, or Logistics.
How is TrustChain supporting your growth and what role does it play for the next steps in your development?
TrustChain offers a network of innovative projects and experts building solutions with many synergies with our project. This brings us a comprehensive suite of tools that streamlines and unifies our implementation process. Indeed, we believe that the most effective way to integrate blockchain into everyday life is through a complementary array of solutions that provide an all-encompassing approach to payment, secure identity, and digital economy challenges. This approach necessitates moving away from centralized authority models, helping to prevent winner-takes-all oligopolies. Collaborating with other TrustChain projects also presents an excellent opportunity to accelerate our progress and create strong synergies.
Why did you apply to the TrustChain call and has your vision changed since then?
We applied to the TrustChain OC2 because it aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a Secure Automatic Data Sharing system designed for IoT devices. Our goal is to develop solutions that ensure privacy, security, and trust in data sharing, addressing the inherent challenges of centralized systems. Since applying, our vision has expanded to recognize the importance of collaboration with other Trustchain projects. This synergy allows us to accelerate development and create more robust, integrated solutions that can better serve the evolving needs of the digital economy and user privacy.
What is the most valuable takeout from the TrustChain project and why was the topic of the Open Call important to you/your team?
Our most valuable takeaway from the TrustChain project framework has been the opportunity to collaborate on cutting-edge solutions for secure data management and sharing in complex environments. The topic of the Open Call was crucial to our team because it directly addressed the challenges we aim to solve—ensuring privacy, security, and trust in decentralized systems. This project provided us with the tools, framework, and collaborative environment needed to advance our technology and align it with broader goals of privacy-preserving data governance, which is at the core of our mission.
Did you establish collaboration with any of the TrustChain teams or plan for any kind of synergies? If yes, what is the biggest potential in such collaborations?
We have investigated several collaboration with other TrustChain projects. Among them, MUSAP, DIDRoom and Client-DIDs appeared to be more closely aligned with our objectives and suitable for integration into our solution. The biggest potential for such collaboration is currently with DIDRoom. In the future development and enhancement of our idea, their functionality will probably enable us to improve the user experience and broaden our market coverage.
What are your expectations regarding the TrustChain software ecosystem and its contribution to the NGI priority areas?
Our expectations regarding the TrustChain software ecosystem are high, particularly in its ability to drive advancements in secure, decentralized, and privacy-preserving technologies. We anticipate that the ecosystem will significantly contribute to the NGI priority areas by fostering trust, security, and user-centric design in Internet applications. TrustChain’s alignment with NGI’s mission to build a human-centric Internet is crucial. We believe that through its collaborative environment and focus on decentralized solutions, TrustChain will accelerate the development of innovative tools that address the challenges of data privacy, secure identity management, and inclusive digital services.
What are the next steps for your team?
After finishing the development of DID-IMP, the team will focus on strategic partnerships with key players in the IoT and blockchain sectors to integrate the solution into existing ecosystems. For example, we will keep on working on the integration with DECO project (Decentralized Energy Communities). We will also prioritize scaling the technology for diverse use cases, such as smart cities and connected vehicles, while refining the business model for revenue generation through licensing, premium features, and expert services. Additionally, targeted marketing efforts and participation in industry events will help drive adoption and establish a strong market presence.
What is the message you would give to new and potential applicants to TrustChain Open Calls?
We encourage new and potential applicants to TrustChain Open Calls to be bold in addressing real-world challenges with innovative, decentralized solutions. Leverage the unique opportunities provided by TrustChain, such as access to cutting-edge technology, expert networks, and a collaborative ecosystem. Focus on creating solutions that are scalable, user-centric, and aligned with the NGI’s mission of building a trustworthy, human-centric Internet. This is your chance to contribute to shaping the future of digital trust and security.
