Tech blogs

Ever wished you could text your friends without cell service or Wi-Fi? Meshtastic devices make it possible! It's an open-source, off-grid communication system that uses LoRa transceiver technology to send messages, GPS locations, and sensor data over miles—without relying on traditional networks. By creating a peer-to-peer mesh network, Meshtastic devices automatically relay messages between each other, extending the range as more users join. Whether you're hiking, prepping, or in an emergency, Meshtastic devices keep you connected when phones fail. Now, meet the ThinkNode M1 and M2—two powerful Meshtastic devices built for adventure, survival, and smart communication solutions.

Modular IoT design integrates heterogeneous computing (ESP32-S3 dual-core) with AI accelerators, enabling cross-protocol smart hubs and agricultural edge nodes via plug-and-play LoRa/Wi-Fi modules.

In 2023, Houston faced tech-driven crimes like forged digital home invasions and Bitcoin ATM robberies. Police countered with coordinated operations (e.g., Case HPD-23-0876 arrests) but lagged in tech adoption. The Elecrow ThinkNode M1 emerged as a tactical LoRa/Meshtastic solution, featuring military-grade encryption (-20°C~60°C endurance) and geo-fenced alerts, exemplified by Colorado's 15km mountain rescue network. 2024 upgrades target AI integration and precision tracking amid battery/cost challenges

LoRa technology confronts the $6B art crime crisis with triple-zero protection: zero wiring, zero maintenance, zero visual impact. Its military-grade spread spectrum modulation (-148dBm sensitivity) and blockchain-verified auditing enable 8.2-year battery life sensors covering 2000㎡ via 2 gateways. Proven in 3 museums preventing 37 incidents, this AI-integrated solution redefines security through invisible vigilance.

If you’ve ever wanted to have your own personal cloud storage without paying monthly fees, you can do it with your Raspberry Pi 5 NAS setup. It is a fun project that gives you full control over your files, such as movies, music, and backup. Best of all, building a Raspberry Pi 5 NAS is much cheaper than buying a commercial NAS. Let’s dive into the details!

Digital hermits in Alpine cabins wield 2014 Sony phones paired with LoRa modules via Bluetooth 4.0, sending storm alerts at 0.08W—1% of 5G's TikTok drain. From New York subways to French villages, Meshtastic's open-source whispers (868-915MHz) bypass rotting copper and throttled 5G, while EU hypocrisy fuels shepherds deploying LoRa repeaters. At €200 vs 5G's €50k base stations, these 20km-range "walnut bricks" slice through telecom hegemony, resurrecting communication's essence where millimeter waves fail—a quiet revolution in 0.003¢/hour sparks.

Unlike a few years ago, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are no longer just for high-end servers and powerful GPUs. With the Raspberry Pi 5, you can dive into AI and ML right from your desk, no matter if you are a hobbyist, student, or developer who wants to experiment with smart applications affordably. Let’s dive into the details and explore how to get started with AI and ML on your Raspberry Pi 5!

Wildfires trigger electromagnetic warfare on LoRa networks: flames emit radio noise, ionized air distorts signals. Meshtastic nodes combat chaos via 915→902MHz frequency hopping, Nordic SoCs maintaining encryption, and smoke-scattering data. Proven by Manhattan's 5km mesh and California's 68% packet success, survival requires 200°C-proof enclosures, E-Ink displays resisting heat shutdowns, and backfires-turned-waveguides. When air becomes adversarial, innovation ignites.

Ever wanted your own AI chatbot project? Now you can build one! In this tutorial, we’ll use the CrowPanel ESP32-S3 Advanced HMI Display to create a voice-interaction chatbot that connects to Wi-Fi, communicates via WebSocket, records and plays voice, and even displays real-time statuses on the screen. Let’s bring your AI assistant to life!

If you've ever thought about having a home media center without spending hundreds of dollars on a high-end streaming box, the Raspberry Pi 5 is the ideal and one of the most affordable solutions. It is small and very powerful, which makes it a great choice for streaming movies, playing music, or even running retro games. So, let’s explain everything you need to set up a smooth and responsive media center using Raspberry Pi 5 – without overcomplicating things.