peaq, the blockchain for real-world applications, announces the expansion of its ecosystem with Wingbits joining to crowdsource flight data. Wingbits is building a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that enables people to earn rewards in crypto by collecting live flight data. It also features a live map where anyone can check up on the flights currently in the air,  collected by a network of hundreds of antennas around the globe. By tapping peaq as its DePIN-focused layer-1 backbone, Wingbits will decentralize the rewards mechanism at the core of its growing global network. 

For a long time, radars were the main tool of tracking aerial traffic. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data is now emerging as a modern alternative, with planes beaming their identifiers, current position, altitude, and other important information for other planes and ground control to follow. The data, essential for air travel, will grow in importance as the aviation industry faces increased scrutiny over its CO2 emissions.

Wingbits incentivizes people to set up ADS-B antennas and collect the signals from the ADS-B transponders on flight traffic. The community has already set up a DePIN of more than 230 antennas across 6 continents. The data collected this way powers its live sky map and will be of use to:

• Improve airport and airline operations
• Enhance aviation insurance
• Build and/or enhance aviation apps and services
• Air carrier companies looking to keep passengers up to date
• Researchers and enthusiasts 

By using peaq as its layer-1 backbone, Wingbits will decentralize the key mechanisms and tools at the foundation of its DePIN. It will tap self-sovereign peaq IDs as the identity mechanism for the antennas joining the network. It will also leverage peaq to enable shared ownership over specific world map hexes (areas on the map); owning a part of one, represented by an NFT, boosts the holder’s owners from providing coverage. Wingbits will tap peaq’s reward pallet to distribute the rewards among hex owners based on how much data they have provided as part of the DePIN.

“peaq’s vast array of DePIN-specific functions make it a perfect home for token-incentivized networks,” says Alex Lungu, co-founder and CTO at Wingbits. “We are excited to be joining this bustling ecosystem as we foster a network providing crucial data for passenger and cargo flight services. ADS-B data grows more important by the day, and with Wingbits, anyone can become a stakeholder in this important sector.”

“Wingbits takes Web3 and DePIN to the sky,” says Till Wendler, co-founder of peaq. “Its app will enable a new generation of flight-oriented apps, services, and platforms leveraging community-sourced flight data. It’s an innovative and forward-thinking project that brings a lot of value to the ecosystem.”