Proof of physical activity (PoPA): A novel blockchain consensus algorithm based on physical work

Abstract

Blockchain technology, which has persisted for a considerable period and has achieved remarkable advancements since the emergence of Bitcoin, still faces a challenge in normalizing cryptocurrency mining using smartphones for general users. This difficulty stems from the complexity of certain algorithms, such as Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS), which smartphones cannot effectively handle. Despite numerous proposals for smartphone-based consensus algorithms, integrating various Internet of Things (IoT) accessories, like smartwatches, into the smartphone consensus for enhanced processing capabilities remains uncommon. To address this research gap, we present a novel smartphone-based blockchain consensus protocol called Proof of Physical Activity (PoPA). PoPA leverages human physiological data collected from smartwatch sensors to participate in the mining process. This approach not only enhances the mining efficiency but also serves as a proof of physical fitness, supporting various applications.