re:publica 2026 / Session
en Scheduled

Build Your Own Off-Grid Mesh Network

Tue, May 19 12:30 – 13:30 (60m) Makerspace Community Garden Workshop ·Wissenschaft & Technologie

Description

From outdoor exploration and festivals to crisis response and community-led initiatives, reliable communication cannot always rely on centralized infrastructure. This workshop introduces participants to Meshtastic, an open-source, decentralized communication protocol that uses low-power LoRa radios to create self-healing mesh networks—completely independent of cellular networks or the internet.

Using the Wio Tracker L1 Pro, a compact LoRa-enabled device with GPS and long battery life, participants will collaboratively build a functioning off-grid mesh network during the session. Each participant or small group will configure a device, join the network, and experience how messages and location data hop across nodes in real time.

No prior experience with LoRa or Meshtastic is required. The session is beginner-friendly while offering deeper insights for technically curious participants, and opens space for discussion around digital resilience and alternative communication models.

Please bring your laptop to the workshop if possible.