Umair
The project is building a DePIN network that lets devices share their locations with each other and work together to understand their physical surroundings.
According to the recent report from Messari on decentralized physical infrastructure projects (DePIN), special computing is set to be a breakthrough trend in DePIN in 2025. Spatial computing connects the digital and physical worlds, allowing digital devices to understand and interact with their surroundings.
Only a few projects in the crypto space are working in this direction, and one of them is the Auki Network. This project is developing the foundational layer of spatial computing, aiming to integrate physical infrastructure with augmented reality and AI.
In simple terms, Auki is developing technology that gives devices precise information about their exact physical location, essentially acting as their eyes. While some might think we already have this capability with GPS, GPS usually provides location data only within a range of several meters, which is not sufficient for devices that need pinpoint accuracy.
Moreover, as users demand that AI perform tasks in the real physical world, AI will need to understand the world around them and their embodiment within it to perform tasks correctly.
To solve this problem, Auki has created the Posemesh protocol, which is designed to allow digital devices to exchange spatial data and computing power to form a shared understanding of the physical world.
A posemesh has three key parts: the Machine, the Network, and the Domain. The Machine is like a smartphone running an app that connects to the posemesh. The Network lets computers share messages and location details. The Domain is a collected map that gathers and stores spatial information from many devices over time, helping to create a shared understanding of an environment.
Devices in the Posemesh network can share various sensor data, their location, and compute resources with each other to collaboratively understand their physical environment. It is like an external sense of space that machines and AI can connect to to gain an immediate and shared understanding of the space they inhabit.
In return for their data, these devices will receive the main token, $AUKI. The project has built a whole economy around its network and regulates the relationship between supply-side providers and demand-side participants (consumers), typically app or hardware developers.
Unlike many other DePIN projects, Auki does not asks to install physical devices. Instead, it kickstarts its operations by attracting node operators. These operators run relay servers that manage network traffic and domain servers that store digital maps of spaces.
Notably, the project already demonstrates real-world applications. For instance, it has developed software called “Cactus AI” that aids retail store owners and staff in optimizing product placement on shelves and always knowing the exact location of each item.
Cactus can analyze the video feed from your staff’s handheld devices, your in-store cameras, and our upcoming camera wearable to automatically detect critical issues, stockouts, and areas of improvement.
Similarly, the “Goto app” lets visitors of business centers easily locate each office in a building by simply using their camera.
While these are just the first use cases of the Auki Network, the project envisions a reality where various devices — including AI robots, cars, and even toasters — share resources through the network and collaborate with each other to help one another.
Precise location data will undoubtedly become an even more valuable resource, especially as we start seeing robots (with AI brains) walking down the streets. Auki seems like a great fit for them. It provides a decentralized, secure, and private way to share data. On top of that, it encourages economic activity, making it easier for devices in the network to work together efficiently. So, as a pioneer in spatial computing, “Auki” is in a great position to benefit from this emerging trend.
