Not being able to locate a friend who got separated from the group during a trek led to the development of Mesh Node, a device designed for connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure does not exist. It uses LoRa tech to support messaging over distances of up to 4–5 kilometres in open areas. The range of communication extends even longer by forming a mesh network, where devices relay messages from one to another, from sender to recipient. The device also supports LoRaWAN.
The RAK4630 module is the heart of the device, enabling both LoRa and Bluetooth communication. After the device is paired with a phone via Bluetooth, the Meshtastic app can be used to send messages, check battery levels and more without the internet. An accelerometer enables tracking activity like walking or jogging and detecting falls. Other components include a GPS module and antenna, a battery connector, a BLE antenna, a 0.96″ OLED display, a BME280 environmental sensor, a LoRa antenna, a USB Type-C port, a buzzer, an RGB LED, and buttons.
The project is currently live on Kickstarter, where it has raised over $2,300 against a goal of $1,330, with 24 days remaining in the campaign. The currently listed rewards include bundles of 2 and 5 units priced at about $112 and $265, respectively. Shipping is expected to begin in May 2026, following reliability testing in April.
