Because the music competition craze started in 2011 probably the most persistent points at music festivals and concert events is the best way to discover your folks and keep collectively in a big, packed area. Within the Golden Period of EDM this was just about a idiot’s errand as cell service was terrible, and also you had no selection however to remain collectively or threat being misplaced all evening. Whereas issues have improved, there’s nonetheless nothing foolproof. Cell service can nonetheless typically be spotty, utilizing reside location options is okay, however not when making an attempt to pinpoint your folks in a packed crowd. Over time, quite a lot of merchandise have promised to repair this, however they’ve usually proved prohibitively costly or relied on mesh networks that by no means actually bought off the bottom. Totem Compass goals to alter all of that, and we bought to try it out throughout Artwork Basel at Manufacturing unit City in Miami. The system, whereas not excellent, could have what it takes to resolve this drawback as soon as and for all.
The System
The system itself is sort of a light-up pendant. It’s a bit smaller than the palm of your hand and comes with a stretch lanyard to put on it like a necklace. It focuses on being a compass, nevertheless it really makes use of satellites to get and keep your location heading (which is essential). Quite than depend on Wifi or Bluetooth or solely a mesh community, the satellite tv for pc will get your place locked after which updates on the go. So the system can work with out cell service or Wifi, nevertheless it additionally creates a mesh community so as to add power to the situation service. It’s impact-resistant, dustproof, and waterproof. The max vary between 2 units is 1000 meters, however this may be expanded with the “Unity Mesh Community” created between units in an space.
The way in which this system works is that it should be paired with different Totems, with a most of 4 extra totems in your crew. Every system is assigned a shade, after which every system will monitor the relative places of every shade. You comply with the colour in your compass till you attain the opposite system. Within the meantime, while you put on the Totem in your neck, it pulsates and adjustments colours to the music to make it a cool accent.
The Setup
It sounds easy sufficient, however the preliminary setup is a little more sophisticated than you would possibly count on out of the field. First, it’s essential to comply with some steps to replace the firmware in your system to the most recent model. The general theme with the Totem is which you can handle every part with simply the system and its 3 buttons (1 contact on the entrance, and a pair of onerous buttons on the again), nevertheless it’s all the time complicated to recollect the entire varied button combos and light-weight indicators with out some form of app to information you. There may be an app, and you should utilize the app for the firmware replace course of. First, the app can have you pair the system with a neighborhood wifi community, and it’ll replace. As soon as that’s achieved, you’ll have the total function set.
The way in which these units work is that it’s essential to collect your crew beforehand and pair the entire units earlier than the occasion. Because the units depend on satellites, you possibly can’t actually use them indoors or in lined areas. Additionally, you’ll wish to permit the lock to occur when you arrive on the venue, so that you don’t flip them on till you arrive.
To pair the units, once more, could be a bit cumbersome. There’s a technique to pair units separately, however then I struggled to make certain that all of my units have been linked to eachother (I had 3). Fortunately, there’s a less complicated group pairing system that allows you to pair your complete group of units unexpectedly, then every is assigned its shade, and you’ll hand them out. Now, presumably, I can simply hand 2 units out to my pals earlier than every occasion, after which we’re all paired. So this depends on a set group of pals, roughly.
Earlier than leaving for the occasion, you’ll must do a fast coaching session to indicate your crew how they work, together with powering on and what the lights appear to be, so you possibly can perceive if it’s working.
Use
As talked about above, you’ll wish to go away the units off till you arrive on the venue. Then you definitely energy on, and after a short second, you’ll get a satellite tv for pc repair. We examined this out throughout Circoloco at Manufacturing unit City, which you’ll be certain was completely slammed. To our nice shock, the units labored fairly nicely! Our pals went off to the toilet or to get water and got here again with out subject, impressed at how simple it was. What appeared to make sense for my use case was to have some reliable pals maintain the opposite 2 units, and if someone wished to go on a sidequest, I gave them a Totem to take with them.
Then the one concern is whether or not you possibly can depend on your folks to return again to you and never lose the Totem! One factor we didn’t but get an opportunity to check was the way it works finding one other system when you haven’t any concept the place the particular person may be, or a state of affairs the place each persons are transferring on the similar time. We will definitely proceed testing the units!
Steady Enhancements
For a expertise that’s sophisticated but in addition very closely demanded, it’s gratifying to know that the Totem staff is consistently striving to enhance the units. They have been very curious to listen to about my expertise and really open to suggestions that they’ll use to make future enhancements to the units. One such plan is to offer the app extra functionality to manage and skim out the entire issues occurring on-device, so that you received’t be pressured to recollect the entire varied mild and button combos. For a product that will likely be utilized in many less-than-sober conditions, this will likely be vital. The staff additionally knowledgeable us that the app will quickly function an entire onboarding sequence as a really useful first step so that everyone will get the total tutorial and walk-through earlier than they begin utilizing the units.
Proper now, the corporate is providing specials on bundles, which is the proper manner to make use of Totem. You may snag a 2-pack vacation bundle for $205, a 3-pack for $234, a 4-pack for $297, or an 8-pack for $676. In the event you simply want one, they’re obtainable for $79, making it a no brainer in the event you attend a number of festivals. Click on here to study extra and buy one for you and your crew for 2026!
