It only becomes apparent when it is too late: dependence on network infrastructure is high, and cellular networks can fail or become overloaded. That can be a matter of life and death during natural disasters, but also on a long hiking trip, for example. With the MeshCore Starter Kit, Seeed Studio offers a package that allows interested users to quickly set up a more or less independent network infrastructure of their own. Technically, the system is based on LoRa, a dedicated wireless standard with long range and limited data throughput.
The system consists of the Wio Tracker L1 Pro and the SenseCap Solar Node P1-Pro and establishes a corresponding network. The node (repeater) comes with its own solar panel and four 18650 cells. These could be positioned on a ridge trail, for example, and can also communicate with each other. The repeater is rated for a range of 6 miles. With enough repeaters, even extremely long distances should be possible. The Wio Tracker L1 Pro is advertised with a range of up to 5 miles, although the effective range can of course be heavily affected by obstacles. The tracker has a 1.3-inch screen and can also transmit its current location.
Some readers may have already noticed: The Wio Tracker L1 Pro is not a smartphone with LoRa. For exchanging text messages, a smartphone and app will therefore usually still be required. However, the tracker does have a button that can immediately share its own position. Whether that function is used as an ultimate emergency call or a simple status update must of course be clear to everyone involved beforehand. The MeshCore Starter Kit is available directly from Seeed Studio for $143 for US customers and ships from California.
Seeed Studio