DEPIN: The Emerging Hotspot in the Web3 Field

Recently, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DEPIN) is rapidly becoming one of the most关注 tracks in the Web3 field. What exactly is it? How does it relate to ordinary people? What is its potential for future development? This article will delve into these questions.

The Definition and Importance of DEPIN

DEPIN is an abbreviation for "Decentralized Entity Infrastructure Network." It utilizes the incentive mechanisms of Web3 to integrate fragmented resources into service technologies that can be uniformly packaged and used by others. DEPIN addresses the challenges of large-scale collaboration, enabling infrastructure that previously could only be built by large enterprises to be constructed by ordinary individuals.

For example, the HiveMapper decentralized mapping project allows users to automatically collect map data during their daily commutes by installing dash cams and receive token rewards. This method updates faster, covers a wider area, and is more cost-effective than traditional mapping services.

Another typical example is the Helium project. Users can deploy hotspots using their idle home WiFi bandwidth, contributing to the Helium network. When others connect to the internet through this network, the hotspot provider can earn tokens. Some large telecommunications companies even collaborate with Helium to utilize its network to cover hard-to-reach areas.

The Combination of DEPIN and AI

AI is one of the core drivers of DEPIN development. As AI technology enters real life, such as autonomous driving and delivery robots, the demand for real-time, high-quality data from the real world is surging. The DEPIN network is precisely capable of providing this data.

For example, the street data collected by HiveMapper users is crucial for autonomous driving systems. The Matrix Rover project uses high-precision camera vehicles to capture extremely clear images on the streets for training autonomous driving systems.

In addition, DEP can provide the necessary computing power support for decentralized AI projects. By connecting distributed GPU resources into a network, DEP can create a civilian version of an AI supercomputing cluster, enabling small teams to conduct AI training.

The Development Prospects of DEPIN

Despite the challenges in the current macro environment, such as high interest rates and financing difficulties, this has actually created opportunities for DEPIN. Traditional infrastructure projects often require large investments and complex approvals, whereas DEPIN significantly lowers the barriers by breaking projects into smaller pieces, allowing countless individual users to participate in construction.

In the future, DEPIN is expected to become a trillion-dollar industry, primarily due to the following factors:

1. Tool maturity: The development threshold has significantly lowered, and various service providers and tools are becoming increasingly refined.

2. AI-driven data demand: The rapid development of AI technology has made real-world data exceptionally important.

3. Founders from the Practical Combat Field Join: An increasing number of entrepreneurs with hardware and infrastructure experience are entering this field.

Opportunities for Ordinary People to Participate in DEPIN

DEPIN has created new job and income opportunities for ordinary people. For example, some have formed HiveMapper fleets, managing a group of ride-hailing drivers and truck drivers to help collect map data. Others specialize in the operation and maintenance of Helium hotspots, responsible for deploying networks, maintaining nodes, and other related tasks.

These emerging job opportunities do not require programming skills; they only need the ability to use devices and manage resources to participate in the Web3 network and start earning money.

Overall, although DEPIN sounds very technical, its core concept is actually quite simple: to subdivide the resources of the real world and encourage people to actively participate through incentive mechanisms. It provides everyone with the opportunity to participate in the construction of AI and Web3, and could become another significant entry point after Bitcoin and Ethereum.