Totem is a hardware-connected mobile app designed to help people stay connected in high-density environments like music festivals, concerts, and large outdoor events — where cell service, WiFi, and data networks typically fail. The concept combines a small wearable tracker with a companion mobile app, allowing users to create private groups and locate one another in real time without relying on traditional cellular infrastructure, using UWB technology.
Each user would purchase a Totem tracker that syncs directly with the app. Once connected, friends can form a group before entering an event. When inside the venue, Totem would use alternative communication technology — such as mesh networking or radio-based signals — to maintain device-to-device connectivity, enabling location sharing even when there’s zero signal. The goal is simple: remove the stress of losing your friends in massive crowds and replace it with seamless, reliable coordination.
Totem sits at the intersection of software, hardware, and real-world problem solving — and yes, it was inspired by the universal festival experience of saying “meet by the big stage” and immediately losing everyone forever.
This project represents my interest in building solutions that extend beyond the browser and into physical environments, combining thoughtful UX with technical experimentation to solve real social coordination challenges.