Utilizing Blockchain for Safeguarding IoT-Based Robotic Networks from Spoofing Attacks

In the dynamic realm of IoT-based robotic networks, autonomous robots, with their intricate integration of sensors and data-driven functionalities, become prime targets for cyber threats. Their heightened dependence on sensor data for path planning and control makes them particularly vulnerable. Within these multi-robot ecosystems, the process of achieving consensus is vital for ensuring coordinated communication. However, this consensus mechanism can become a weak point, susceptible to adversarial intrusions such as spoofing attacks. In this chapter, we introduce a novel approach that leverages blockchain to facilitate path planning coordination among a network of robots. Furthermore, we present a consensus algorithm for detecting compromised robots by analyzing blockchain data transferred from the robots. Through simulation results, we demonstrate that the proposed approach enhances the resilience of a robot network by rapidly identifying spoofed client robots or compromised servers. We conclude with a comprehensive discourse on the multifaceted benefits of deploying blockchain as a defensive measure in these networks while also shedding light on the emergent challenges and their feasible countermeasures.