Decentralised Governance for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores decentralised governance of Cyber-Physical Systems using blockchain technology, demonstrating a case study of autonomous physical spaces and discussing the complex social and functional dynamics involved.

Contribution

It introduces a novel framework for decentralised governance in CPS, integrating blockchain-based control with autonomous physical systems and highlighting practical and theoretical considerations.

Findings

Blockchain can facilitate autonomous management of physical spaces.

Decentralised governance requires adaptive feedback and social dynamics.

Challenges include managing emergent behaviors and ensuring system resilience.

Abstract

This paper examines the potential for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) to be governed in a decentralised manner, whereby blockchain-based infrastructure facilitates the communication between digital and physical domains through self-governing and self-organising principles. Decentralised governance paradigms that integrate computation in physical domains (such as 'Decentralised Autonomous Organisations' (DAOs)) represent a novel approach to autono-mous governance and operations. These have been described as akin to cybernetic systems. Through the lens of a case study of an autonomous cabin called "no1s1" which demonstrates self-ownership via blockchain-based control and feedback loops, this research explores the potential for blockchain infrastructure to be utilised in the management of physical systems. By highlighting the considerations and challenges of decentralised governance in managing autonomous physical spaces, the study reveals that autonomy in the governance of autonomous CPS is not merely a technological feat but also involves a complex mesh of functional and social dynamics. These findings underscore the importance of developing continuous feedback loops and adaptive governance frameworks within decentralised CPS to address both expected and emergent challenges. This investigation contributes to the fields of infra-structure studies and Cyber-Physical Systems engineering. It also contributes to the discourse on decentralised governance and autonomous management of physical spaces by offering both practical insights and providing a framework for future research.