1. The technology we are building¶

This section details the core technology we are building. Each item is a collapsible summary.

Onlife in Short

ONLIFE is a emergency network technology that turns a group of ordinary smartphones into a self-organizing, decentralized communication network that works without internet or cell service. It is designed for citizens and first responders to maintain communication during large-scale emergencies like blackouts, cyberattacks, or natural disasters, transforming fragility into resilience.

Onlife Tech: The Engine

ONLIFE is built on a stack of open, resilient technologies.

1. The Onlife Mesh: The core protocol that allows smartphones to discover each other and form ad-hoc networks using their built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. Read the Science Blueprint
2. The ONLIFE app: The "browser" for the ONLIFE network. This is the simple application citizens and responders use to connect to a group and use emergency tools. Read the Development Blueprint
3. The Plugin Framework: Small, crisis-specific tools that run inside Onlife app, such as an "SOS Broadcast" or a "Shared Map." This allows the platform to be adapted to any emergency. Read the Business Blueprint

Onlife Design: The User Experience

The user experience is designed to be simple and intuitive under extreme stress, based on three core concepts.

Groups: Temporary, ad-hoc networks formed by nearby devices. A Group is like a shared, decentralized computer that exists only where it's needed.
Plugins: The "software" that runs on the Group's shared computer, providing tools like secure messaging or resource finders.
Cards: The "files" created by users via Plugins. A Card could be a help request, a status update, or a warning message shared with the Group.

Read the Design Blueprint

Scenario 1: Cyberattack

A massive cyberattack causes a 10-hour internet and telecom blackout across Western Europe.

The Status Quo
- Emergency services lose internal comms.
- Citizens are cut off from news and banking.
- Public transport halts.
- Disinformation and panic spread via rumor.
- Society grinds to a halt in silence.
ONLIFE is Active
- Phones auto-connect, forming local mesh networks.
- Governments broadcast verified alerts via the mesh.
- Hospitals coordinate locally with ambulances.
- Neighborhoods organize peer-to-peer support.
- The attack fails to destabilize society.

Scenario 2: Earthquake

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes a major city. Cell towers are down, and infrastructure is crippled.

The Status Quo
- First responders are blind, unsure where to go.
- Trapped survivors cannot call for help.
- Families are separated with no way to confirm safety.
- Aid efforts are chaotic and uncoordinated.
- Rumors of aftershocks or dam breaks cause panic.
ONLIFE is Active
- Survivor clusters automatically form local networks.
- An "I'm Safe / Need Help" plugin creates a live rescue map for responders entering the area.
- The Red Cross broadcasts authenticated shelter locations and safety info that spreads through the mesh.
- Volunteer teams use a shared map plugin to coordinate search grids.
- Chaos is replaced with coordinated, community-driven response.

Onlife Ecosystem Diagram

This diagram shows how citizens, responders, and the core technology work together.

graph TD
    subgraph "Human Layer"
        C(Citizens)
        FR(First Responders)
    end

    subgraph "Application Layer"
        A[Onlife App]
        P[Plugins: SOS, Map, etc.]
        Cards(Cards: Messages, Alerts)
    end

    subgraph "Protocol Layer"
        OMP[ONLIFE Mesh Protocol]
    end

    subgraph "Hardware Layer"
        HW(Smartphones: Wi-Fi & Bluetooth)
    end

    C -- uses --> A
    FR -- uses --> A
    A -- runs --> P
    P -- creates --> Cards
    A -- communicates via --> OMP
    OMP -- runs on --> HW

2. Our Groundings¶

This is the evidence that we are building something the world genuinely needs.

SDG Grounding

We directly address UN goals for resilient, just, and sustainable societies.

to SDG grounding
Scientific Grounding

Our technology is validated by years of rigorous research and development.
- Protocol Stress Test: 75+ Node Mesh Proven
- R&D Foundation: 10+ Years
To scientific grounding
Democratic Grounding

Our mission must be validated by a growing community of co-owners and supporters.

See our live progress on key validation metrics.

To our live data

3. Operations & Governance¶

A live view into the project's engine room.

Project phase: Validation¶

We are focused on validating our model and mission.

graph TD
A["Phase 1: Validation"] --> B["Phase 2: Design"];
B --> C["Phase 3: Production"];
C --> D["Phase 4: Organization"];
style A fill:#00bfa5,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px

Contact Us¶

We would love to hear from you. Whether you are interested in contributing, forming a partnership, or have a question about the project, please use the form below. Our team monitors submissions and will get back to you shortly.

Smartup Zero¶

the live experiment¶