Secure Logistics Smart Tag
A hardware-secured, multi-sensor IoT tag with a thickness of just 4 mm, designed for continuous shipment condition monitoring and generating trustworthy data for blockchain and smart contracts.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) — Nordic Semiconductor nRF SoC |
| Sensors | Thermometer, hygrometer, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, IMU |
| Security | Dedicated hardware cryptographic chip (Secure Element) |
| Power | Ultra-thin integrated battery |
| Form Factor | Circular design, ~70 mm diameter, 4 mm thickness |
| Mounting | Integrated industrial double-sided adhesive tape (Peel & Stick) |
The Challenge
Cargo damage during transport costs the global industry tens of billions of euros per year, with the majority caused by human error — rough handling, improper stacking, temperature violations, and unauthorized package opening.
Our client was building an innovative digital ecosystem based on smart contracts that would proactively and financially incentivize carriers and couriers to handle shipments better. The system needed to automatically reward careful handling and penalize negligence — all governed by transparent, immutable blockchain logic.
The missing piece: For the smart contract system to function fairly and pay out rewards, it needed an indisputable physical source of truth — a tamper-proof Chain-of-Custody record generated directly from the field. Software-only solutions were not trustworthy enough to trigger financial transactions.
The challenge for Inovasense: design an autonomous hardware sensor capable of collecting this data accurately, while being:
- Extremely thin — thin enough to be applied as a standard shipping label
- Energy-efficient — operating autonomously throughout the entire shipment journey
- Fully secured against tampering — any attempt to falsify data had to be cryptographically impossible
Our Solution
The Inovasense team designed the complete hardware architecture from component selection through final PCB layout — with extreme focus on miniaturization, multi-sensor integration, and hardware-level security.
Extreme Miniaturization & Form Factor
We integrated all electronics, advanced sensor arrays, and a custom-fitted ultra-thin battery into a circular device with a total thickness of only 4 mm. The device functions as a smart label — applied directly onto any package using integrated industrial-grade double-sided adhesive tape. No brackets, no tools, no training required.
Comprehensive Edge Sensing
The device continuously monitors the shipment environment through a multi-sensor array — capturing the full picture of how a package is handled from pickup to delivery.
| Sensor | What It Detects | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 🌡️ Thermometer | Temperature excursions and trends | Critical for cold-chain logistics (pharma, food) |
| 💧 Hygrometer | Humidity levels and condensation risk | Protects moisture-sensitive goods and electronics |
| 📐 Accelerometer | Drops, impacts, and shocks | Detects rough handling events with g-force data |
| 🔄 IMU | Orientation, tilt, and rotation | Identifies improper stacking or flipping |
| 💡 Light Sensor | Unauthorized package opening | Detects light exposure in sealed/dark packages |
Edge intelligence: All sensor data is processed and evaluated locally on the device. Only relevant events and cryptographically signed summaries are transmitted — minimizing power consumption and bandwidth while maximizing data integrity.
Hardware Root of Trust
Since the measured data directly triggers financial transactions on the blockchain, standard software-based security was insufficient. Any possibility of data manipulation would undermine the entire smart contract ecosystem.
We integrated a dedicated Secure Element (hardware cryptographic chip) directly onto the PCB, providing:
- Hardware-level encryption — all sensor data is encrypted using keys stored in tamper-resistant silicon
- Cryptographic signing — every data packet is digitally signed at the hardware level, creating an unforgeable chain of evidence
- Anti-tampering — the Secure Element detects and responds to physical attack attempts
- Blockchain-ready output — signed data packets are structured for direct ingestion into public blockchain networks
100% trustworthy records: The hardware security architecture creates a complete chain of custody from the physical sensor to the blockchain — fully tamper-proof and GDPR compliant. No software vulnerability can compromise the integrity of the signed data.
Efficient Connectivity
The Nordic Semiconductor nRF SoC provides seamless, energy-efficient BLE communication. The device reliably and securely transfers data directly to standard smartphones used by handlers and couriers — eliminating the need for expensive industrial scanning equipment.
- No infrastructure required — any smartphone with BLE becomes a gateway
- Instant data handoff — couriers tap the tag to upload the shipment record
- Offline resilience — the device stores all events locally until the next sync
What We Delivered
| Deliverable | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hardware Design | Full schematic + PCB layout (multi-layer, circular form factor) |
| Component Engineering | Sourcing and qualification of ultra-thin battery, sensors, SE chip |
| Embedded Firmware | BLE communication, sensor drivers, power management, crypto layer |
| Security Model | Key provisioning, data signing flow, tamper detection logic |
| Prototyping | Functional prototypes for client validation and field testing |
Need a Secure IoT Sensor?
We design custom hardware for applications where data integrity, miniaturization, and security are non-negotiable. From concept to certified prototype.
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