Analysing the suitability of blockchain consensus algorithms in swarm robotics. (6th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krishnamohan, Theviyanthan
• Is Part Of: International journal of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Volume 3:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2023-02-06
• Subjects: swarm robotics -- blockchain -- proof of work -- proof of authority -- PoA -- proof of stake -- PoS -- stellar consensus protocol; Blockchains (Databases) -- Periodicals; Cryptocurrencies -- Periodicals; Electronic funds transfers -- Periodicals; 332.404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-6425

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.