A groundbreaking trend recently emerged in the world of technology and transport —drive-to-earn apps. They have revolutionized how people can use their time behind the wheel, playing a role in building valuable data collection projects and earning cryptocurrency at the same time.
Drive-to-earn apps have harnessed the power of sophisticated hardware devices and cutting-edge technology, creating a win-win scenario for people who want to make some money on the side and for cryptocurrency projects that require diverse traffic-related data.
Drive-to-earn apps work by letting people provide real-time data on different aspects of their trips, including traffic behavior, vehicle performance, and road conditions.
Exciting developments
MapMetrics, a leading Web3 drive-to-earn navigation app, unveiled a plan to migrate to peaq, the layer-1 blockchain for DePIN and Machine RWAs (real-world assets). Originally building on Solana, MapMetrics will fully move the smart contracts powering its DePIN to peaq. It will tap peaq IDs and peaq’s other Modular DePIN Functions as part of its architecture and will move its token to the layer-1 for DePINs.
An improvement on Google Maps
Navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze rely on user data to assess the traffic and other variables needed to optimize the user experience. While monetizing their own services, they don’t share any of the profits with the users despite being dependent on them to provide these services in the first place.
MapMetrics changes the game by enabling users to earn by driving with its navigation dApp on. Drivers can boost their earnings by purchasing a hardware device that provides for a more secure and reliable data exchange within the dApp. Released only on Android so far, the drive-to-earn app already has more than 55,000 installations and users in 177 countries.
Partnership with Microsoft
The drive-to-earn app has also partnered with Microsoft to improve its Bing Maps service with the data collected by MapMetrics users, expanding the mapped territory with new roads and other objects.
As part of the multi-stage expansion process, the drive-to-earn app MapMetrics will deploy the smart contracts behind its dApp on peaq, moving its core business logic on the layer-1 for DePINs. It will also mint its token natively on peaq and provide a bridging option for the existing holders. It will update its documentation and interfaces and provide a seamless onboarding experience both for drivers who are already using the app and for new members.
Brent van der Heiden, co-founder at MapMetrics, commented:
As one of the original players in the DePIN space, we need a network with stable transactions, machine data verification, and a synergistic DePIN-focused ecosystem. peaq provides our drive-to-earn app with all that and more, also featuring its Modular DePIN Functions, which help us build faster, and a DePIN-friendly economic model. We are thrilled to be moving ahead with the migration and are certain that it will bring MapMetrics to a whole new level.
Till Wendler, co-founder of peaq, added:
Navigation is a crucial service for mobility, logistics, and other vital real-world industries. MapMetrics successfully taps the DePIN model to bring this service to Web3, and we’re excited to see it fully migrate to peaq, solidifying peaq’s position as a prime layer-1 for DePIN.
The latest drive-to-earn projects are adopting a comprehensive approach, which involves analyzing traffic behavior, gaining insight into vehicle performance metrics, and even environmental impact assessments in some cases.
Enhancing security and privacy
Drive-to-earn apps have embraced Web3 principles against the backdrop of growing concerns surroundingsecurity and data privacy. These principles prioritizeprotection and anonymityby using cryptographic measures and decentralized technologies. Drive-to-earn apps use Web3 to create anonymous user accounts. They do not require drivers to provide personal data. Instead, the accounts only have an email for login and a crypto wallet to receive earnings.
The Web3 approach used by drive-to-earn apps does away with the need for detailed personal data, making sure drivers can take an active part in drive-to-earn projects while maintaining their security and privacy.
The future
Drive-to-earn apps will continue to evolve and gain traction, and the future is bright for both crypto projects and drivers. Participants can look forward to bleeding-edge devices thanks to advancements in hardware technology, which can capture a bigger volume of traffic-related data.
The data can deliver deeper insights into traffic behavior, vehicle performance, and environmental impact. It will let crypto project founders offer creative solutions, make informed decisions, and contribute to the advancement of urban planning and transport systems.
