Analysing the suitability of blockchain consensus algorithms in swarm robotics
by Theviyanthan Krishnamohan
International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies (IJBC), Vol. 3, No. 4, 2022

Abstract: Swarm robotics integrates robotics with swarm intelligence. Consensus achievement is one of the major behaviours of swarm robotics. Strategies that solve the consensus-achievement problem have been shown to be vulnerable to Byzantine robots. Blockchain-based solutions have been shown to improve Byzantine fault tolerance. However, these solutions suffer from poor performance, excessive resource consumption, and vulnerability to the 51% attack due to the use of the proof-of-work consensus algorithm. This study surveys existing blockchain consensus algorithms and their suitability to swarm robotics. Consequently, a taxonomy is introduced consisting of three categories, namely proof of resource, proof of authority, and Byzantine agreement. The proof-of-resource algorithms are vulnerable to the 51% attack and consume excess resources. Proof of authority algorithms creates permissioned blockchains, which contravenes the principles of swarm robotics. Byzantine agreement algorithms introduce centralisation. Consequently, the need for a new consensus algorithm to be used in swarm robotics is postulated.

Online publication date: Wed, 08-Feb-2023

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