MOBI Rolls out the First Blockchain-Enabled Vehicle Identity (VID) Mobility Standard

The standard, which paves the way for decentralized mobility services and smart cities, was developed in collaboration with Groupe Renault, Ford, BMW, and others.

July 18, 2019

William Kucinski

Image courtesy: Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative via YouTube

The Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) – a global nonprofit working to create standards in blockchain, distributed ledgers, and related technologies for consumers, smart cities, and mobility – has launched the industry's first vehicle identification (VID) standard incorporating blockchain technology into a digital vehicle identification system. The standard – developed by MOBI’s member-led VID Working Group, which includes automotive leaders, start-ups, and large technology companies – represents a step toward the digital evolution of the automotive and mobility industries.

According to MOBI, this first standard (hinting at upcoming development of further standards) focuses on the "birth" of the vehicle as a minimum representation of that vehicle's creation. Subsequent VID phases will add additional product definition, ownership history, and a log of key-events in the vehicle's lifecycle. The result will be a trusted and immutable master record of the vehicle's history and data usage.

William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..