Aquilier: An Ethereum-Based Smart Contract for Door-Lock Management in Home Assistant

Abstract

The widespread adoption of distributed computer systems, exemplified by plat- forms like Airbnb and Booking.com, has transformed homes into rental proper- ties and streamlined vacation rentals by offering comprehensive tools for listing properties, processing payments, facilitating searches, and enabling communi- cation. However, a critical gap remains: these platforms do not facilitate the coordination of physical access to these properties, a significant challenge af- fecting tenants and service personnel. This gap complicates logistics and raises substantial security concerns, as property owners must ensure safe and autho- rised access without direct oversight. Additionally, landlords are increasingly facing disputes concerning the true identity of tenants, questioning whether they are indeed who they claim to be. There are also concerns about whether the individuals who book the property are the same who occupy it. In this thesis, we propose Aquilier, a novel decentralised system utilising blockchain technology and smart contracts to manage and log physical access to rental properties. Distinguishing itself from traditional methods, Aquilier integrates seamlessly with the HomeAssistant smart-home systems to control door locks, enhancing the security and convenience of property access. All operations are securely logged in a tamper-proof ledger using the Ethereum blockchain, ensur- ing unparalleled security and accountability in access management. We show that this approach is reliable and secure but that further research is needed to reduce the cost of blockchain operations.