Reconstructing the DePIN Track: A New Chapter from Internet of Things to AI Integration

DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) was once in the spotlight, but as artificial intelligence technology has rapidly developed, market focus has gradually shifted. However, DePIN is not stagnant; it is seeking to integrate with AI and open up new development directions. Projects represented by Roam are leading this trend, allowing us to understand the latest dynamics of the DePIN sector.

The Essence and Classification of DePIN

The core of DePIN lies in resource integration, encouraging users to share personal resources through a token incentive mechanism, building an infrastructure network that includes storage space, communication bandwidth, cloud computing, and energy. This model is similar to Bitcoin, requiring an initial investment to purchase physical equipment, followed by continuous "mining". By connecting with the real world, DePIN brings positive externalities to the entire industry.

DePIN projects are mainly divided into three categories:

1. Storage type: Provides services similar to cloud storage.
2. Computing: Decentralized GPU Rendering Platform
3. Networking: Forming a global WIFI network through token incentives.

Current Market Landscape

According to statistics from data platforms, DePIN has nearly 4.56 million devices in about 196 countries or regions worldwide, with a market value of 7.1 billion USD. The devices are mainly concentrated in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with a particularly notable concentration in Southeast Asia, especially South Korea, which is performing most actively.

Roam: The Rise of a DePIN New Star

Roam, as a representative of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) projects, is positioned as a combination of Web3 and WIFI, dedicated to building a decentralized wireless network. It offers various products, including WIFI hardware and eSIM cards, allowing users to obtain free data and points rewards by purchasing hardware or completing tasks.

In the technical architecture of Roam, the Roam Telecom Data Layer is the core, achieving functionality through four main ecological modules:

1. Roam Network: Focused on network infrastructure construction
2. Roam Growth: Encourage user participation through incentive mechanisms.
3. Roam Discovery: Support and incubate new projects
4. Roam Community: Focus on community building and governance

Deep Integration of Roam and AI

Roam is actively exploring the integration with AI, leveraging its communication data advantages to provide high-quality data for AI projects. Among the three key elements of AI development (computing power, algorithms, and data), data, especially communication data, remains a bottleneck. Roam provides operator services through Web3 means, offering valuable data sources to AI companies while protecting user privacy.

Roam uses technologies such as Decentralized Identity (DID), Verifiable Credentials (VC), and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK) to ensure that data sharing does not infringe on user privacy. In addition, Roam is building a comprehensive data ecosystem that integrates multi-dimensional data resources, including data from weather monitoring, CDN services, and renewable energy usage, providing unprecedented data dimensions and depth for AI model training.

Opportunities for Ordinary Users to Participate in DePIN

The rapid development of Roam is attributed to its "free + airdrop" strategy. Users can earn free traffic by completing tasks or gain points by sharing WIFI, preparing for potential future airdrops. This low-threshold participation method provides opportunities for ordinary users, maximizing the subsidy battle seen in the Web2 industry.

With the deep integration of DePIN and AI, this field is shaping the decentralized infrastructure of the AI era, opening new windows of opportunity for user participation and investment.