Brooklyn Based Entrepreneur Details Innovation Born Out Of Necessity In An Age Where People Like To Go Off-Grid
In terms of preparation for off-grid ventures, whether group camping in the vast wilderness or hiking with friends, the ability to stay connected with each other often tops the list of priorities. While current options exist such as satellite phones and walkie-talkies, they’re often bulky and lack modern functionality outside of voice communication. A Brooklyn based start up, goTenna, has evolved this concept by integrating a product most people already carry with them at all times: cell phones.
Born out of necessity, co-founder and CEO Daniela Perdomo, tells the Buzz, “The idea for goTenna came out of a variety of different experiences my co-founder [Jorge Perdomo] and I had, but one was the need for communication during emergencies.” One such experience for the two was the destruction resulting from Hurricane Sandy that left countless devastated in New York and unable to communicate with loved ones.
“Towers were down and the power was out so you didn’t have Wi-Fi, [and] you didn’t have cell service, but you did have a phone that didn’t work,” recalled Perdomo. “So the idea was, [to] be able to empower people to use the phones they already have on them to communicate when they need to most regardless of whether they have access to communication infrastructure.”
The 1.8-ounce goTenna is engineered using high-grade durable metal, nylon and silicone and is industrially designed to be water-resistant and dust-tight. Using Bluetooth Low-Energy (BTLE), goTenna pairs wirelessly to any modern Android and iOS based smart-device. After pairing, users can then utilize the free downloadable goTenna app to communicate with other goTenna users through features like 160-character text messaging and location sharing via pre-downloaded maps. To summarize the process, a message is sent from the smart-device to the paired goTenna, which then sends out the information to the intended goTenna recipient using long-range radio waves (151-154 MHz), all in the absence of a wireless network or cell signal.
The 2-watt VHF radio allows users to communicate in groups, directly to specific people, or broadcast openly through ‘shouts’ to other goTenna users within range, without worry about being on the same channel or encountering interference from other users. The messages are encrypted for increased privacy and the goTenna device has a flash memory able to store hundreds of messages. When communicating one-to-one, users’ messages also have delivery confirmation receipts and automatic message retries.
The device’s built-in lithium-polymer battery is non-replaceable, but can be recharged via a micro-USB port that’s protected by a weatherproof latch. “The battery will last a little over 24 hours [on standby], but it’s really a question on how you’re using it,” elaborates Perdomo on the longevity of goTenna, adding that “it could last a lot longer than that” for individuals who shutdown the device while it’s not in use.
Although goTenna is capable of functioning within 20 feet of the paired smartphone, performance is maximized by close proximity to the phone and by uncompromised external exposure to the extendable custom antenna. For this reason, the company recommends attaching the 5.8” x 1” device, via the nylon strap, externally and as high as possible such as on the top of a backpack or shirt pocket. While goTenna’s range is influenced by terrain as well as elevation, communication efforts can reach up to to one mile in urban areas and up to four miles in most outdoor terrains with best performance being in high-altitudes and wide-open spaces free of obstructive structures.
One of goTenna’s most unique features is its’ ability to update firmware, the custom operating system built into the device, in conjunction with the app’s software updates. As the company continues to implore innovation and tinker with possibilities, updates will include “new features, upgrades or big fixes” that take about ten minutes to complete.
Perdomo highlights that, “the intention is to use [goTenna] with people that you’re planning to go out and adventure with” and that there are “tens and tens of thousands” of goTenna’s on the market serving as “a platform for people to use as they wish.” “It’s communication and communication is a basis for everything” whether people want to use it for “fun, emergencies, convenience, [or] safety, and we’re already seeing it used in all these ways, which is pretty great.”
Jannie Schaffer
A graduate of the Fashion Institute Of Technology in New York City with a degree in Interactive Marketing, Jannie has worked both for FOX and ASA Electronics. She enjoys traveling and whitewater rafting.
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