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Sendrel: Offline Terminals for Local Messaging

Sendrel: A LoRa-powered offline terminal for intentional, trust-based messaging without the internet.

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Sendrel is a privacy-first, modular communication device designed for offline connectivity using LoRa mesh networks and e-ink display technology. Built around human-centered principles, the device empowers users to engage in intentional, trust-based messaging without reliance on cloud infrastructure or corporate intermediaries. Portable, repairable, and radically sustainable, Sendrel is both a piece of hardware and a philosophy — an invitation to reimagine how we connect.

Sendrel is a purpose-built offline messaging terminal designed for quiet, intentional communication across local networks—no internet required. Inspired by retro hardware and rooted in slow tech philosophy, Sendrel uses LoRa mesh networking to support secure, peer-to-peer exchanges. Its tactile interface and consent-based ID sharing foster trust, presence, and reflective dialogue between communities.

Core Features

  • LoRa Mesh Messaging – decentralized, long-range peer-to-peer exchange
  • E-Ink Display – minimal UI that prioritizes clarity and battery life
  • Physical Contact Pairing – users connect via shared ID tokens via NFC cartridges
  • Tactile Controls – switches and buttons for sending, storing, and selecting threads
  • Expandable Storage – optional microSD archiving for conversation logs
  • Off-Grid Resilience – battery-powered and network-independent
  • Message Consent Protocol – communication only allowed when both users are "ready"

Why It Matters

Most communication tools rely on cloud services, accounts, and surveillance-driven infrastructure. Sendrel offers a human-scale alternative: a device that prioritizes trust, locality, and meaningful presence over speed or scale.

It's designed for:

  • Emergency contact in infrastructure-limited areas
  • Private storytelling between paired users
  • Community coordination without centralized servers
  • An offline social connection that feels respectful and quiet

Current Progress

  • Sketching the enclosure and interface layout
  • Prototyping LoRa message routines and consent logic
  • Researching microcontrollers (leaning toward Raspberry Pi Pico or Arduino Uno)
  • Exploring pairing mechanisms (NFC exchange or token-based ID)
  • Naming, branding, and defining project philosophy

Next Steps

  • Build out a physical prototype
  • Write and test core firmware
  • Define message structure and encryption
  • Design terminal UX flow (send, receive, store, block, etc.)
  • Launch community documentation and safety framework

Sendrel Terminal Concept.png

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) - 614.45 kB - 07/21/2025 at 23:57

Preview

  • Zephyr Development Log

    Jeremy07/27/2025 at 20:59 0 comments

    Zephyr is a compact LoRa communication device designed for trust-based messaging. Built with pocketability and offline resilience in mind, it aims to support intentional connection without distractions.

     Core Features

    • E-ink display: Promotes low-power use and slows interactions, helping users engage mindfully.
    • Extendable LoRa antenna: Enhances range for peer-to-peer mesh networking, ideal for remote communication.
    • GPS SOS functionality: Adds a safety layer—users can send emergency signals even in off-grid scenarios.
    • Modular build: Enables easy repairs, customization, and sustainable design practices.

     Potential Use Cases

    • Backcountry or rural messaging with no cell coverage.
    • Community organizing tools in low-infrastructure areas.
    • Secure communication during events or fieldwork.
    • A quiet alternative to smartphones for those seeking digital detachment.

    More logs to follow as Zephyr’s design and functionality evolve.

  • Building the Sendrel Ecosystem

    Jeremy07/27/2025 at 07:11 0 comments

    When I first began designing Sendrel, I imagined a singular device—a quiet terminal for trust-first, offline messaging. But as the design matured, I realized the strength of Sendrel wasn’t just in its functionality, but in its adaptability.

    That realization led me to expand Sendrel into a suite of devices, each shaped by different use cases.

    • Sendrel Core: Something you can rely on, a central device to store and back up message threads.
    • Sendrel Terra: Built for outdoor deployment, disaster coordination, off-grid communication
    • Sendrel Zephyr: A pocketable companion for everyday mobility, balancing simplicity with presence

    Each form factor shares a common soul: no cloud, no surveillance, no assumptions. Just presence, trust, and consent.

    I didn’t want Sendrel to scale like software—I wanted it to echo like stories told in different voices. Different needs call for different tools, but the core values never change.

    I still plan to begin with Sendrel Core—formerly the Sendrel Terminal—to deepen my understanding of the system’s behavior before shaping the more complex forms.

  • Sendrel design update

    Jeremy07/25/2025 at 01:25 0 comments

    I've continued to iterate on the Sendrel terminal, trying to remove complexity and streamline the user experience, reinforce Sendrel’s core values, and respect the constraints of both materials and manufacturing. 

    • Unread Message Indicator LED
    • Speaker for Message Notifications
    • Thread Navigation Arrows
    • NFC Cartridge Slot
    • Central Storage Drawer

  • Concept Log: Why Sendrel Exists

    Jeremy07/22/2025 at 00:08 0 comments

    This project is still in its early conceptual phase—but even now, I believe it’s worth building.

    Sendrel began as a question: What would communication look like if it were rooted in trust, locality, and consent rather than scale or speed? As our digital networks grow louder and more centralized, I wanted to explore a quieter, more intentional alternative. Not just software—but physical terminals that feel like tools instead of toys.

    Right now, I’m sketching out Sendrel’s hardware design, interface flow, and pairing logic. It’s far from complete, but the core ideas are solidifying:

    • Real-world ID exchange to foster presence and accountability
    • LoRa mesh messaging without the need for Wi-Fi or cellular infrastructure
    • A minimalist, retro-inspired interface with tactile input and an e-ink screen
    • Focus on consent-first communication, where users opt in actively, not passively receive

    I see Sendrel as more than a device. It's a philosophy wrapped in hardware: communication as a ritual, connection as a choice, and networks as ecosystems—not pipelines.

    There’s plenty still to prototype—firmware, encryption logic, physical casing—but I wanted to share my intent early so that others can weigh in, challenge it, or maybe even help shape it.

    If this idea speaks to you, feel free to reach out, share thoughts, or contribute. The project might be quiet by design, but the conversation around it doesn’t have to be.

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