Decentralized Identity in the Automotive Industry: How ASCS, ALTME and TEZOS join forces to create reliable digital identities

published on 11 April 2024
Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS)
Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS)

In the fast-evolving automotive industry, the convergence of technology and innovation is not just a trend but a necessity. At the forefront of this revolution is the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS), a non-profit hub dedicated to research and innovation.

To improve the efficiency and reliability of membership management authentication, ASCS has led an innovative project, uniting forces with Altme, an open-source digital identity wallet, and Tezos, a leading smart contract platform.

This collaboration aims to empower the automotive ecosystem with secure and decentralized digital identities, transforming the way ASCS members and their employees access services, data spaces, and online platforms.

Example of ASCS Members
Example of ASCS Members

1. The Automotive Solution Center for Simulation : A non-profit hub dedicated to research and innovation

ASCS brings together leading names in automotive business, such as BMW, with the best and most renowned scientists in the field of virtual vehicle development to help its members benefit from a globally unique research and development landscape with a particular focus on simulation technologies, high-performance computing and digitalization.

👉 Discover more about ASCS and its initiatives on the ASCS website : https://asc-s.de/en

ASCS also plays a pivotal role in the Gaia-X 4 PLC-AAD consortium, a part of the Gaia-X future of mobility initiative. This consortium is dedicated to creating an open, distributed data ecosystem to revolutionize product development, manufacturing, and customer service in the automotive sector.

One of the goals is to use the verifiability of open Decentralized Identity (DID) standards and Verifiable Credentials (VC) to access these data spaces in a reliable way. Particularly in the simulation domain of highly automated and software-defined vehicles, deep and broad international supply chains pose major challenges for automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The solution lies in distributed data ecosystems based on the latest technologies that bring trust and a higher degree of automation to the development of new vehicle generations.

👉 For more details on this forward-thinking Gaia-X consortium, visit the Gaia-X 4 Future Mobility website : https://www.gaia-x4futuremobility.de/en/projects/plc-aad

With the innovative DEMIM project (Decentralized Member Identity Management) the ASCS offer its members a trust anchor framework based on W3C Decentralized Identities. The ASCS issues as a trust anchor verifiable credentials (digital identities) for member companies. This also includes the current membership status. With this company credential it is possible for members to issue verifiable credentials for their employees directly or using ASCS site. These verifiable credentials can be used for the onboarding process across services, data spaces, websites and so on.

👉The whole process can be seen in this video : https://youtu.be/eqNZhfOPR04?feature=shared

👉 For more details on the innovative DEMIM project, visit the DEMIM website: https://identity.ascs.digital/

2. The ALTME Wallet : A key component to create reliable digital identities using Decentralized Identity (DID) and Verifiable Credentials

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the concept of decentralized identity (also known as Self-Sovereign Identity, SSI) has emerged as a transformative solution for empowering individuals to take control of their personal data and securely manage their online identities. 

Managing verifiable credentials with Altme Wallet
Managing verifiable credentials with Altme Wallet

The Altme Wallet stands as a key player in this movement, offering a user-friendly and robust mobile wallet for managing decentralized identities and verifiable credentials.

Here is why the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation has choosen Altme :

2.1 Adherence to open standards, open-source code, and industry best practices

The Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS) has selected the Altme wallet for its initiative to enhance membership management authentication through decentralized identity technology due to its unwavering commitment to open standards, open-source code, and industry best practices.

These principles are at the core of Altme's development and operation, ensuring that the wallet is compatible and interoperable with a wide range of platforms and applications, adheres to the highest security standards, and is accessible to a broad user base. Also, Altme's adherence to open-source code grants developers unrestricted access to the wallet's source code, empowering them to contribute to its development. 

2.2 User-centric design

Altme's user-centric design prioritizes the ease of use and accessibility of the wallet for individuals with varying levels of technical expertise. The intuitive interface and user-friendly features streamline the management of digital identities and verifiable credentials, making it accessible to a wide audience, including those with limited technical knowledge.

2.3 Developer-friendly approach

Altme's commitment to open standards and open-source code extends to its developer-friendly approach. The new wallet's Developer Mode provides developers with the tools and resources they need to create and test SSI applications, leveraging Altme's capabilities and contributing to the development of advanced decentralized identity use cases.

In summary

Altme's adherence to open standards, open-source code, and industry best practices, coupled with its user-centric design and developer-friendly approach, makes it an ideal choice for ASCS's decentralized identity project, and a valuable tool for organizations seeking to create digital identities in the decentralized future.

👉  To read more about Altme's tech stack, you can read this

Creating an immutable registry with Tezos
Creating an immutable registry with Tezos

3. Creating an immutable, censorship-resistant revocation registry with Tezos smart contract platform

In conjunction with Altme, ASCS leverages Tezos's blockchain technology to create an immutable, censorship-resistant revocation registry for verifiable credentials. Tezos is renowned for its robust features and suitability for decentralized identity applications.

Here is why the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation has choosen Tezos :

3.1 Institutional-grade security

Tezos is designed to provide the security demanded for high-value applications, ensuring the safety of both the protocol and application layers. Its use of OCaml and Michelson, languages that facilitate formal verification, a common practice in mission-critical industries, further reinforces its security credentials.

3.2 Energy efficiency

Tezos's Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism consumes significantly less energy compared to Proof-of-Work blockchains, making it an environmentally friendly choice for decentralized identity applications. As the Web3 movement gains momentum, the need for sustainable blockchain infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial. Tezos's energy-efficient approach stands out in this regard.

3.3 Reliable smart contracts

Tezos is recognized for its advanced smart contract capabilities, enabling the creation of secure and reliable applications. Its smart contracts can be formally verified, ensuring that their code adheres to specific requirements and optimizes security.

3.4 Upgradeable and future-proof

Tezos stands out for its continuous upgradeability, a feature that sets it apart from other blockchain platforms. Its on-chain upgrade mechanism allows the system to adapt and evolve seamlessly, addressing any potential shortcomings or introducing new features as needed. This future-proofing aspect makes Tezos an attractive choice to build long-term solutions.

In summary

The collaboration between ASCS, Altme, and Tezos exemplifies the power of collective innovation and demonstrates the potential of decentralized identity technology to revolutionize trust and data management in the digital age. Altme's open-source and interoperable approach, combined with Tezos's censorship resistant and immutable blockchain make it an ideal foundation for building advanced decentralized identity solutions.

An inspiring collab for Gaia-X projects
An inspiring collab for Gaia-X projects

An inspiring model for other Gaia-X projects ?

Aligned with Gaia-X's vision, this project aims to provide a practical solution for European entities to interact within a decentralized data ecosystem based on decentralized identities. The collective efforts of ASCS, Altme, and Tezos have set a high standard for future Gaia-X projects to emulate, inspiring further advancements in decentralized identity solutions that will shape the digital future of Europe.

The synergy of ASCS, Altme, and Tezos is a shining example for other Gaia-X projects, demonstrating the immense benefits of collaborative innovation.

About the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS)

https://www.asc-s.de
https://www.asc-s.de

The Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS) is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and innovation in the automotive industry. With a focus on high-performance computing and digitalization, ASCS serves as a hub for collaboration among industry leaders, scientists, and technologists. It aims to foster the development of cutting-edge virtual vehicle technologies and drive progress in the automotive sector.

About Altme

https://altme.io
https://altme.io

Altme is an open-source digital identity wallet that plays a crucial role in the decentralized identity ecosystem. Built on the principles of decentralized identity (DID) standards, Altme emphasizes interoperability and aligns with global standards such as W3C, OWF, and DIF. It stands out for its user-friendly features, commitment to community feedback, and its role in enhancing digital identity management across various sectors.

About Tezos

https://tezos.com
https://tezos.com

Tezos is a prominent smart contract platform known for its robust blockchain technology. As a leader in the European blockchain landscape, Tezos offers an innovative approach to digital ledger technology, characterized by its immutable, censorship-resistant nature. It is widely used for various applications, especially in creating secure and reliable digital infrastructures, and is celebrated for its adaptability, security, and community-driven governance.

About Gaia-X

https://gaia-x.eu
https://gaia-x.eu

Gaia-X is an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a secure, transparent, and federated data infrastructure for Europe. Envisioned as a cornerstone for the next generation of digital services, Gaia-X focuses on establishing common standards for data storage, processing, and usage, fostering innovation and data sovereignty. It brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and research institutions, to develop a reliable and interconnected data ecosystem. Gaia-X's mission is to drive digital transformation and promote European values of transparency, openness, and collaboration in the global digital landscape.

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