Sony on April 23 announced the development of a new blockchain platform, called Blockchain Common Database or "BCDB", to the end of creating a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) that would encompass multiple transportation services. 

The effort is a result of the Blockchain Challenge Program, a MaaS initiative organized by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in 2019. The official press release states that Sony blockchain database was the only one to meet the stipulated specifications. 

The overall goal of the MaaS platform is to make more efficient transportation services and lay the groundwork for future smart cities by analyzing traffic flow and revenue allocation. Future plans may include facilitating the development of smart cities by implementing sensors in appropriate systems. 

Specifically, the database will track data such as routes, time and cost, covering the process from end-to-end, from booking to clearing. The records of more than 7 million users per day will be recorded anonymously.

The transportation services supported include rains, buses, taxis, car sharing, on demand mobility services and rental bicycles, and will involve “using IT and cloud technology to provide users with information regarding optimal routes to desired destinations and recommended transportation means and services.”

The press release also speaks of Sony’s growing interest in blockchain applications, which is corroborated by Sony’s application for over 200 blockchain related patents,

The Sony Group is expanding the application of blockchain technology in diverse areas, such as the development of authentication, sharing and authority management systems for education data in the education field, and the development of a digital content rights information...is also engaged in the development of virtual currency hardware wallet technology…

Such a system is not new and has been talked about before. The Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI), which counts names like BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, Renault and IOTA as members, also focuses on similar use cases and has seen much research and development. 

Blockchain based mobility systems can give consumers, manufacturers and mechanics much insight into the performance and operations of vehicles, greatly streamlining products and services.