The long-awaited Polkadot ecosystem parachain auctions have finally launched, starting with Kusama — Polkadot’s canary network designed for early-stage innovation and experimentation. On June 15, Kusama officially kicked off its five-round parachain slot auction series, granting winners a 48-week (approximately one year) lease on a highly coveted parachain slot.
Early data suggests that Acala’s先行 chain will secure the first slot. As a pioneering Internet of Things (IoT) project within the Polkadot ecosystem, Robonomics recognizes the strategic importance of establishing a presence on Kusama as early as possible. To achieve this, Robonomics plans to participate in the third parachain auction and aims to raise 1 million KSM through community-powered crowdloan contributions.
Robonomics Crowdloan Launch: June 28
Kusama's parachain auctions are scheduled every seven days, with each round opening immediately after the previous concludes. Following the completion of the second auction, Robonomics will activate its crowdloan module to compete for the third available slot.
The Robonomics crowdloan officially opens on June 28, allowing users to begin contributing their KSM tokens starting June 29. Contributions will remain open until the project successfully secures the parachain slot.
Contributed KSM tokens will be locked for the full duration of the parachain lease — approximately 48 weeks. After this period, all tokens will be automatically returned to contributors. Throughout the lease term, participants will receive generous rewards as appreciation for their support.
Reward Options for Contributors
Robonomics offers two flexible reward structures to incentivize participation:
- 100% Native Token Reward: Receive 100% of your reward in XRT, Robonomics’ native parachain token, distributed after the network goes live.
- Hybrid Reward Model: Get 25% of your reward immediately in ERC-20 compatible tokens upon successful auction win, followed by 75% in native XRT tokens once the parachain is operational (estimated 2–4 weeks post-auction).
This dual-option model provides liquidity flexibility while ensuring long-term alignment with the project’s success.
In the event that Robonomics does not win a subsequent auction after the initial 48-week period, the network will transition into a parachain thread (parathread) — a pay-as-you-go alternative that maintains connectivity to Kusama. However, the development team has already prepared contingency plans and intends to integrate an automated yield-generation mechanism for KSM and DOT holders, enhancing passive income potential across both networks.
How to Join the Robonomics Crowdloan
Participating in the Robonomics crowdloan is straightforward and accessible through multiple trusted interfaces.
Option 1: Use the Official Substrate Portal
Polkadot developers provide a built-in crowdloan interface within the Substrate Portal, which allows users to monitor auction progress and contribute directly. This decentralized platform ensures transparency and security throughout the contribution process.
For reference, community simulations were conducted in April on the Rococo testnet using the same crowdloan module. You can view a demonstration of the user experience and community engagement flow via Robonomics’ Twitter post.
Option 2: Contribute via Robonomics’ Custom Interface
After June 28, Robonomics will launch its own dedicated crowdloan interface on its official website. This user-friendly platform will guide contributors step-by-step through the pledging process, offering real-time updates, reward estimators, and educational resources.
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Both methods are secure and non-custodial — meaning you retain full control of your assets at all times. Your KSM is sent directly to an on-chain auction account managed by Kusama’s governance system, not held by Robonomics or any third party.
Post-Auction Roadmap: Building the Future of IoT on Kusama
Securing a parachain slot is just the beginning. Once live on Kusama, Robonomics will rapidly deploy a series of upgrades designed to establish a robust, autonomous IoT economy powered by decentralized robotics and machine-to-machine communication.
Initial Network Launch (Week 0): Genesis State
Upon going live, Robonomics will activate core functionalities:
- Enable XRT token transfers between accounts
- Allow IoT devices to send telemetry data and pay transaction fees using XRT
- Establish a temporary Sudo (superuser) account for emergency governance
- Form a Technical Committee composed of key ecosystem contributors
Planned Network Updates
Following the genesis launch, Robonomics has outlined a clear, time-bound development roadmap:
Update 0.1: Staking (Weeks 1–3)
Introduce staking for XRT holders with a base annual percentage yield (APY) of 10%. Crowdloan participants will enjoy a significantly higher APY of 125%, rewarding early supporters with premium returns.
Update 0.2: Treasury Migration (Weeks 4–6)
Transfer a portion of the project’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) funds from Ethereum to the new Kusama-based parachain, enabling self-sustained governance and funding.
Update 0.3: RWS Token Launch (Weeks 7–8)
Introduce Robonomics Web Services (RWS) tokens, enabling subscription-based access to IoT management tools. Users can choose between pay-per-use models or monthly subscriptions, opening new monetization avenues for developers and enterprises.
Update 0.4: Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) (Weeks 9–10)
Launch automated service workflows where robots or smart devices can be remotely deployed and controlled via blockchain transactions, including built-in micropayments for usage.
Update 0.5: RoboBank (Weeks 11–12)
Introduce Robobank, a decentralized financial layer allowing machines to hold balances, make payments, and execute conditional logic — essentially creating programmable economic agents.
Update 0.6: Sudo Removal (Weeks 13–14)
Eliminate the temporary Sudo account, transitioning full control to decentralized governance. From this point forward, no developer or entity can unilaterally alter network operations without consensus from the Technical Committee and token holders.
Ecosystem Integration (By Year-End)
Focus shifts toward interoperability with other Kusama and Polkadot parachains, enhancing cross-chain IoT capabilities and expanding use cases for decentralized robotics across industries like logistics, agriculture, and smart cities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What happens to my KSM if Robonomics doesn’t win the auction?
A: If unsuccessful, all contributed KSM will be promptly returned to your wallet without penalty.
Q: Can I use staked KSM for the crowdloan?
A: No. Only liquid, non-locked KSM can be used. Tokens currently staked, locked in governance votes, or reserved for other purposes must be unlocked first.
Q: When will I receive my XRT rewards?
A: For the hybrid reward option, 25% in ERC-20 tokens arrives immediately after winning; 75% in XRT follows within 2–4 weeks of parachain launch. The full native reward option pays out entirely after launch.
Q: Is there any risk in participating?
A: The primary risk is temporary illiquidity — your KSM is locked for ~48 weeks. However, there is no risk of losing funds if the project fails to win or later becomes inactive.
Q: How is Robonomics different from other IoT blockchains?
A: Robonomics uniquely combines blockchain with autonomous robotics and machine economics, enabling devices to independently transact and interact — creating a true machine-to-machine economy.
Q: Will there be future crowdloans on Polkadot?
A: Yes. After establishing itself on Kusama, Robonomics plans to pursue a Polkadot parachain slot using similar community-driven mechanisms.
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Core Keywords: Robonomics, Kusama crowdloan, parachain auction, IoT blockchain, XRT token, decentralized robotics, machine economy, Polkadot ecosystem