UPDATE: The Push The Button project was developed in response to this challenge.

The Things Network is a global, open and crowd-sourced data network for Internet of Things. It enables hackers, makers and professionals alike to prototype and build IoT solutions based on an open platform. It lowers the barrier of entry by building up base infrastructure and empowering everyone to extend it.

In Switzerland, the Open Network Infrastructure Association is driving the deployment of TTN.

{ hacknight challenges }

Beginner's challenge

Create your first application on The Things Network console, register a new device to it and start sending simulated uplink messages from it.

Intermediate challenge

Build a dashboard to display data generated by your device, for starters you could use Node-RED to receive the data from TTN, re-format it and forward it. There are many tools to build shiny dashboards, for example Grafana, Kibana, Freeboard.io, etc.

To have a dashboard, you need data. So, get comfy with the command line, install the ttnctl tool and script a data stream from your device simulating uplinks from it.

Maker challenge

Arduinos and LoRaWAN module in hand? Then the world is yours! Put them together, add a few sensors, and you're off to a good start! We will make sure there is LoRaWAN coverage during the Hacknight so that you can see the full loop from sensor to dashboard in action!

Not sure what sensors to use? How about sensing the pulse of the hacknight? e.g. measure temperature in the room; or how many coffees are consumed; or what's the noise level during the event; or how much is the toilet 💩 used (!); etc.

You can also help by fixing existing bugs, extending docs, reporting issues:

• The Things Network Stack:
  • Repository
  • Issues marked as help-wanted
  • All issues
• Node-RED library:
  • Repository
  • Issues
• IMST iC880a Gateway installer:
  • Repository
  • Issues
  • Debian Stretch support #24
• Documentation