ResQme

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  Connecting lives when the world goes offline.

Inspiration

In disaster zones, communication often fails first. We wanted to create a system that doesn’t rely on cell towers or the internet, something people and rescue teams could still use to coordinate when everything else goes down.

What it does

ResQMe is a mesh network built on ESP32 devices. Each node can send and relay messages through others, forming a local communication web that works even without infrastructure. The master node can host a Wi-Fi access point with a simple webpage for users to send messages or mark their status.

How we built it

We used ESP32 boards running a PainlessMesh network for communication. The master node manages message distribution and can log activity over serial for cloud mirroring. Each device can also run in AP mode for local access. We integrated GPS tracking and OLED feedback to make the system more usable in the field.

Challenges we ran into

Mesh stability was tricky: keeping consistent links across multiple nodes under varying power conditions took tuning. Getting the AP mode and mesh mode to switch smoothly without breaking connections was another challenge.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We got a functional disaster communication system running entirely without external networks. The nodes can dynamically join, leave, and reconnect to the mesh on their own. It’s also compact and low-cost, which makes it realistic for actual field deployment.

What we learned

We learned how mesh networks behave in real conditions, how latency, packet size, and topology affect message delivery. We also got better at managing Wi-Fi tasks, asynchronous servers, and embedded debugging.

What's next for ResQme

We’re planning to add encrypted communication, automatic distress signal detection, and longer-range radio support. Eventually, we want it to integrate with mobile devices and cloud dashboards for hybrid rescue coordination.

Built With

• api
• c++
• esp2-ide
• expo.io
• leaflet.js
• native
• next.js
• node.js
• platform.io
• postgresql
• python
• react
• routes
• supabase
• tailwindcss