Promoting Wagyu beef traceability between Japan and Australia

IoT for supply chain

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the expanding network of physical objects that are connected through smart digital technology and the transmission of data.  However, it is not always possible to trust data collected through IoT, especially along supply chains with independent sections. 

One example of such a supply chain is Wagyu beef export, which is an important part of the trade relationship between Australia and Japan.

UTS has developed solutions to solve such trust issues, including devices such as NFC stickers and narrowband IoT devices, apps, and a user interface.

The project research team works in the discipline of network and cybersecurity in the School of Electrical and Data Engineering.  The team have extensive experience in blockchain and IoT research, along with strong expertise in organising and coordinating projects with significant local impact around the world.

UTS and Hokkaido University (HU) have an established cooperative relationship, which includes a Faculty Key Technology Partnership.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT technologies can track four main senses:

• Feel: sensors for temperature and moisture
• Hear:  microphones for acoustic analysis, including for animal stress
• Smell: 'e-nose' to detect scent
• See: camera image analysis for animal count, growth, size, and facial recognition

These capabilities give IoT strong application in agriculture, both on the farm, such as through tracking time and location and monitoring movement and feeding patterns, and along the supply chain, including tracking across transport, shipping, and overseas abattoirs.

Blockchain: building trust in IoT data

The main challenge with IoT data is a lack of trust.  It is not always possible to trust data collected through IoT, especially along supply chains with multiple, independent sections.

Blockchain, which is highly tamper resistant, is a solution to building trust in IoT.  Described as a digital ledger, it consists of a distributed list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.  If a block is tampered with, this results in a hash error, and a broken chain. 

The most well-known blockchain applications are in financial services and certified records and transactions, such as Bitcoin.  There is also great potential for applications in supply chain, in conjunction with IoT.  IoT is used for tracking (ie, the what, where, when, and how), and blockchain for the trusted sharing of this data along the supply chain in a range of sectors, including agriculture. 

The demand for transparency along the supply chain comes from:

• Consumers, who request trusted information about where their product comes from (provenance)
• Businesses, who require accurate traceability and quality assurance
• Authorities, who demand trusted compliance information

Solutions for these demands are met by using IoT for traceability and quality tracking, and blockchain to enable secure business transactions and trusted provenance and traceability.

Key technologies

Technology 1: Real-time Tracking with 5G and narrowband IoT:  UTS researchers developed a narrowband (NB) IoT tag using 5G technology.  The tag allows real-time tracking of location, temperature, and humidity. 

Technology 2: Blockchain-secured IoT demonstration: UTS researchers developed a blockchain in their IoT testbed to demonstrate the tamper-resistant properties of blockchain. They were able to hack the chain, the attempt to tamper with the data was signalled, the data was restored, and the chain was repaired.

Technology 3: Tracking supply chain: Digitized supply chain Sixth Avenue developed an online trading data platform and QR/NFC tracking with blockchain.  The app allows users to scan a QR/NFC code to record time or location at each section, and the records are uploaded to blockchain. Consumers can then use an app to read the tracking data and verify provenance and traceability.

Technology 4: Blockchain photo app:  This application takes a picture and secures the image and its metadata (such as time and location) through secure blockchain certificates.  The application identifies tampered data.

UTS projects

IoT is capable of tracking and allowing traceability, and blockchain guarantees trust along the supply chain. Using these two technologies together we are building a trusted export supply chain.

Tracking fish from catch to market

Blockchain Fisherman App provides secure catch records including image recognition for species and size.  It allows real-time fish supply chain tracking, including location and temperature, freshness, and quality, all secured in blockchain.  Real-time data with catch information is transmitted to online auction platform for access by traders and consumers via the app.

Trusted beef tracking

Narrowband IoT technology allows real-time tracking for beef export, securing location, temperature, and moisture data along the supply chain.  Blockchain secured records between export partners transmit secure information about origin and authenticity.  A blockchain powered supply chain management platform holds data relating to products and their consumers, and an app communicates accurate data about the product provenance, history and authenticity to consumers.

Australia-Japan Foundation project

This project promotes the use of IoT and blockchain-enabled technologies in achieving trusted provenance, traceability and quality tracking in wagyu beef export between Japan and Australia.

UTS is working with partner HU and with the generous support of the Australia-Japan foundation to promote these technologies and their potential to improve outcomes for farmers in both countries as well as enhance the bilateral trade relationship.