710824Development of the Wyld Research Mesh Network - an Off-Grid, near real-time, intelligent notification and messaging system for underground metro systems.ClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKUtilising Mesh Networking technology, we intend to develop an Off-Grid, near real-time, intelligent notification & messaging system for underground metro systems. This will enable the secure, mass communication of information in environments where 2G/3G/4G/Wi-Fi are restricted. In practice, this means an Off-Grid communication channel that can transmit relevant, location-specific travel & service status information through an entire underground system within minutes to passenger smartphones, without the need for phone signal. Mesh Networking leverages smartphones ability to communicate directly with other nearby devices via Bluetooth & Peer to Peer Wi-Fi, without the need for a grid connection. This is particularly useful to environments where there is a high footfall but restricted connectivity such a underground networks. The rise of 4G & Wi-Fi availability however has meant that Mesh Networking technology has largely been unexplored since it was made more accessible to developers for iPhone & Android devices in late 2013. Improving communication and user experience on the tube network is a key priority for underground metro operators as passengers numbers continue to increase. This is particularly true for network over 50 years old - Marseille, Athens, Rotterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, New York City & London - where aging infrastructure makes the installation of 3G/4G connectivity impractical and disruptive, and extremely costly (£100m+ in London: TfL 2011). If technical feasibility of our system can be proved then our technology will enable the development an innovative low-cost, high-impact communication channel for these underground networks and provide an alternative to costly, impractical communication infrastructure work. More widely, the technology will have applicability in Defence, the Mining industry and with the Emergency Services as an Off-Grid failover option for unplanned outages or emergencies (AppA:1).