American multinational retailing corporation Walmart has submitted a patent application to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that explores blockchain technology to track packages that are delivered by unnamed drones.
The application titled “Unmanned Aerial Delivery to Secure Location” is a delivery management system that comprises a blockchain processing device to track, register and authenticate items of the payload moving through a supply chain.
“In some embodiments, the delivery box may also include a delivery encryption system comprising a blockchain for package tracking and authentication. Package tracking by blockchain may include elements including but not limited to location, supply chain transition, authentication of the courier and customer, ambient temperature of the container, temperature of the product if available, acceptable thresholds for ambient temperature of the product, package contents placed in the container system (products & goods), or a combination thereof,” the patent application read.
The patent application authors lay out the general mechanics of a hypothetical delivery. The packages would be carried by drones and once they come close enough to the delivery box, the box would automatically unlock itself and open. Blockchain plays the role to add more security, transparency and precise tracking. This could help for sensitive shipments including food, flowers, and medical samples.
Last October, Walmart worked with IBM in order to develop a blockchain-based supply chain solution that was focused on China’s pork market.
