According to RMIT University property law experts, the technology has the potential to open up opportunities for countries that do not have a reliable land registration and transfer system.
As reported, blockchain can provide greater legal security as well as contribute to the economic and social development of countries with limited land management systems.
Leveraging on Blockchain
Research being conducted by a Senior Lecturer from the University’s School of Property, Construction and Project Management is examining how blockchain can assist countries where there is no reliable system.
Moreover, blockchain could particularly be of use in situations where there has been a natural disaster, war, or corruption at a regional or national level.
The technology’s distributed digital ledger system, which sees information immutable and validated by all parties, could allow for land title ownership and transactions to be verified and safely recorded.
The lecturer worked together with global industry and research leaders in blockchain, to investigate the potential of blockchain for identity management, taxation and urban crisis management.
In urban crisis management, for instance, data can be collected in real time from smart devices, home devices, map applications and social networks.
The data can then be customised and directly shared with the people involved in the crisis.
It has the potential for a much quicker response compared to when information is sent to a central authority, which then decides how to distribute it.
In this sense, blockchain can be a foundation for technologies such as IoT and AI to function with trust.
Wearable tech for the elderly
In relation to IoT and trust, a new technology that tracks conversation and can be worn as a brooch is set to improve quality of life for elderly Australians who are at risk of loneliness.
According to a recent press release, researchers from the University partnered with an aged care provider to develop a wearable device that tracks the wearer’s conversations.
It will then send alerts to family or carers at signs of social isolation.
The Cat Pin works by monitoring baseline conversations and word count throughout the day then prompting social contact when levels drop too low.
The discreet pin can be worn as a lapel pin or brooch and personalised for each wearer by incorporating existing jewellery or items such as medals or textiles into the design.
The wearable tech is a low-cost and non-invasive solution to the loneliness experienced due to a lack of social interaction by many among Australia’s elderly population.
There is a need to address this social isolation and loneliness, which is predicted to grow in the coming decades as Australia’s population ages.
Being able to address loneliness can help provide a better quality of life for the ageing population.
There is a plethora of health consequences brought about by loneliness and isolation.
These include disrupted sleep, high blood pressure, increased depression, lower immunity and generally lower overall well being.