Application of Blockchain Powered Mobile Robots In Healthcare: Use Cases, Research Challenges and Future Trends

摘要

Using service robots in healthcare is gaining importance in case of emergent situations like pandemics where human labour is considered risky. Multi robot systems of mobile robots have the potential to perform simple but vital tasks in healthcare. However, centralized control with a server computer of these systems carry the risks of single point of failure and ineffective operation of robots, thus decentralized control with blockchain integration offers a better solution. We mention research challenges regarding blockchain powered multi robot systems of mobile robots from use case, blockchain technology and its integration into current computing systems used in medical centers aspects. Then we propose a method for decentralized management and task distribution in a multi robot system by using Hyperledger Fabric as a permissioned blockchain platform and give common use case scenarios. In this system, tasks are assigned to robots depending on the selection of nearest available robots to the task target. Each robot runs the smart contract containing the task assignment method, so that data traffic for the task assignment process is distributed among the network, instead of stacking up on a single line as in a centralized system. Future research issues and directions for future works are also stated as a conclusion.