Exploring the Potential of Blockchain in Internet of Robotic Things: Advancements, Challenges, and Future Directions

In recent years, the concept of Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) has gained significant attention, driven by the convergence of robotics, cloud computing, and diverse IoT devices and services. IoRT systems enable the autonomous exchange of data and decision-making within virtual infrastructures. However, managing and controlling diverse robotics applications that interact with IoT devices poses a major challenge in IoRT systems. The conventional centralized approach falls short in providing adequate security and privacy for the IoRT network, particularly due to the mobility of robots and the limited computational and energy resources of IoT devices. To address these limitations, this paper explores the integration of blockchain technology into IoRT networks. Blockchain, known for its distributed ledger based on peer-to-peer communication and trustworthy operations, offers a promising solution. This study provides a comprehensive overview of this integration, starting with an examination of the fundamental characteristics and challenges faced by IoRT networks. It then presents a survey of blockchain technology, highlighting its diverse applications in IoRT systems. Based on our findings, we will propose a new architecture for IoRT that utilizes Blockchain technology to address security and privacy concerns and enhance the overall performance of the network.