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by jimiasty 3478 days ago
Hi HN, this is Jakub, founder of Estimote, Inc. (YC S13).

We just released a new firmware to support mesh networking with bluetooth beacons - you can read more on our blog: http://blog.estimote.com/post/153812538740/introducing-the-w...

Happy to answer any questions here! : )

2 comments

I've purchased 2 sets of estimote dev kits, unable to get any consistent enough beaconing to do anything useful related to home automation.

I'm not alone, a few of my friends also play with home automation and none of us can get any given estimote among dozens to beacon reliably. They all work, just maybe 10% - 30% of the time.

Is this your app, the beacons, the technology, bad expectations... what could everyone be doing wrong that nobody can get a better than coin toss chance of detecting proximity to a beacon?

Will this mesh tech make any difference?

// FWIW, seems to be all beacons, not just yours, and all apps, not just yours. It's like the concept of expecting reliability is broken.

I have had 5 different ideas for projects just looking at your site. I currently work in an education company with little one's and there are a few ideas that would be awesome in a 3-5 year old age group. It would also be great as a research tool to figure out where children are spending their time in the classrooms during the day.

This is really looks like an exciting technology.

Thanks! Please see this list of use-cases - there is an entire section for education: https://community.estimote.com/hc/en-us/articles/207295257-A...
I didn't see anything with mass transit there. We're piloting beacons at bus stops and in the busses.