Ever wondered how planes stay connected mid-air and how their data is tracked? Currently, this tracking is done by large organizations, but Wingbits flips the script by letting individuals participate.
A Stockholm-based startup, Wingbits uses antennas set up by everyday people to collect and monetize the location data broadcast by airplanes.
In this article, we’ll break down how Wingbits works, why it’s worth joining, how tokens are distributed, and what benefits you can expect.
How Does Wingbits Work?
Wingbits operates on a decentralized protocol, using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology to gather real-time flight data. It tracks crucial details like the location, altitude, and speed of both commercial and private planes. Essentially, it turns flight tracking into a community effort, making aviation data more accessible than ever.
The network shares its revenue with contributors, rewarding data providers through a Solana blockchain-based, performance-driven model. Rewards are calculated based on factors like performance, coverage, and uptime. To keep things competitive, Wingbits also features global leaderboards, allowing participants to see how their antennas stack up against others worldwide.
The project has made significant strides, recently securing €3.1 million in seed funding to support its expansion. With over 1,600 stations already active, Wingbits is growing fast and creating opportunities for individuals to join this innovative network.
Wingbits has also partnered with peaq to enhance its operations. It will utilize peaq IDs as the identity mechanism for antennas joining the network. Additionally, the network plans to use peaq to enable shared ownership of specific hexes on its world map
Benefits of Wingbits Network
Here are the key benefits of the Wingbits network:
- Earn Rewards for Contributing: Participants earn tokens for setting up hardware stations and capturing high-quality flight data. This system motivates contributors to provide reliable and accurate information.
- Improved Data Security: Wingbits uses cryptographic verification to ensure the data collected is trustworthy and timely, addressing the critical need for aviation safety.
- Transparency in Data Sharing: The decentralized model ensures that aviation data is openly accessible.
- Enhances Aviation Safety: Reliable, real-time data improves air traffic operations, enhancing safety measures and decision-making in the aviation industry.
Use Cases of Wingbits Network
Wingbits makes flight tracking data accessible and valuable for a variety of users, helping industries and individuals improve efficiency, safety, and knowledge in aviation. Here are some ways it’s used:
- Airlines and Aviation Businesses: Companies like airlines and private charter services rely on accurate data to manage flights, enhance scheduling, and keep their customers informed with real-time updates.
- Air Traffic Controllers: National and regional traffic control agencies use this information to streamline flight paths, prevent congestion, and maintain safe skies.
- Emergency Responders: Services like police and fire departments use the network to pinpoint aircraft in emergencies, allowing them to respond faster and more effectively.
- Aviation Hobbyists: Enthusiasts who enjoy tracking flights or studying flight paths can access detailed information to fuel their passion.
- Researchers and Educators: Professionals studying air travel trends, weather effects, or aviation technology use this data to deepen their research and uncover insights.
Wings Tokens and Their Distribution
Wingbits has allocated its token supply strategically to ensure fairness, long-term stability, and ecosystem growth. With a total supply of 10 billion tokens, here’s how they are distributed:
- Community (45%): The largest share is allocated to the community through mining. This ongoing issuance is distributed over a 40-year timeline, encouraging steady participation and long-term network stability.
- Team (24.5%): Reserved for the team, these tokens will vest over a two-year period, ensuring alignment between the team’s incentives and the project's success.
- Capital Partners (24.5%): Tokens for capital partners are allocated with a vesting schedule of 1.5 years, supporting early investments and network scalability.
- Ecosystem (6%): This portion is set aside for ecosystem development, funding initiatives that enhance the network's capabilities and growth.
Wingbits Roadmap
Wingbits has outlined a clear and strategic roadmap for its development, moving through Alpha, Beta, and Mainnet phases with specific goals and milestones:
Alpha Phase (Q2 2023)
- Achievements:
- Platform stabilized and scaled to ingest 200 million events/day.
- Onboarding process initiated for early users.
- Focus: Ensuring stability, scalability, and a smooth data ingestion process.
Beta Phase (Q3 2023 – Q2 2024)
- Key Features Developed:
- Q3 2023:
- Litepaper released.
- User account functionality introduced.
- Enhanced API, reward engine, and improved UX launched.
- Insights for devices implemented.
- May 2024: Wings tokens distributed on the testnet.
- Data ingestion expanded to handle 2 billion events/day.
- SkyHex introduced to optimize crypto focus.
Mainnet Phase (Q2 2024)
- Goals:
- Full network coverage with paying customers.
- Key Features:
- Milestone rewards and NFT collections for contributors.
- Staking, reward splitting, and decentralized exchange (DEX) support.
- Real-time flight alerts, fleet management tools, and estimated time of arrival functionality.
- Flight API, device alerts, and Plug-and-Play device support.
- Stream API for advanced integrations.
How to Be a Part of Wingbits Network
Here's a step-by-step guide to get started with Wingbits:
Step 1: Create an Account
- Visit the Wingbits website and create a free account.
- Join the active Wingbits Discord community to stay connected and get real-time updates.
Step 2: Check Station Availability
- Use the interactive map on the website to see if your location is available for deployment.
- Click the antenna toggle button to check if your desired hex is already claimed.
- Explore nearby stations' coverage and rewards to assess the potential earnings for your location. Keep in mind that rewards depend on the physical setup and may vary from station to station.
Step 3: Get the Right Equipment
- Wingbits-Approved Devices (available from October 14th, 2024):
- WB200 – Wingbits Solo Miner
- Earns up to 800 $WINGS TestNet Tokens daily.
- Performs just as efficiently as other models.
- Requires locking in your hex upon purchase.
- MGW310 – Wingbits Geodnet Combo Miner
- Earns up to 800 $WINGS and 24 $GEOD tokens daily.
- Matches the earning potential of a Geodnet miner.
- Requires locking in your hex upon purchase.
- BYOD Stations (for deployments before October 14th, 2024).
Step 4: Reserve Your Location
- Claim your station location as soon as possible to secure your spot and prevent others from deploying in the same area.
How to lock your Hex for Wingbits
Earnings Potential
Top-performing miners can earn hundreds of $WINGS tokens daily, while the average miner earns approximately 29 tokens per day. Although $WINGS tokens are currently in the TestNet phase and don’t have a set value yet, the MainNet launch on the Solana blockchain is scheduled for Q4 2024, potentially increasing the network's utility and value.
Get Your Wingbits Miner Today!
Don’t wait—claim your hex location before the network grows even larger. With its promising future and early-stage potential, Wingbits offers a unique opportunity for contributors and early adopters to be part of something innovative.
Secure your spot and order your Wingbits miner today to start earning rewards!