Mesh networks in crowds have long promised reliable, off-grid communication. Yet, when faced with dense gatherings like protests or festivals, they often collapse. A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and the City College of New York is rebuilding this decentralized technology from the ground up with a new prototype called Amigo.
Originally built for military operations and events like Burning Man, mesh networks rely on connected nodes that pass messages between devices without the internet. However, when real-world conditions shift—like movement in large crowds—these systems slow down or fail. Amigo aims to change that by rethinking how communication flows, even in high-pressure situations like political protests or internet shutdowns.
How Amigo Reinvents Mesh Networks in Crowds
Amigo introduces new ways to prevent the breakdowns that plague traditional mesh systems. In protests or emergencies, multiple nodes can overload the network with redundant data. Amigo avoids this by creating dynamic cliques—small leader-based groups that manage communication efficiently. This approach reduces message congestion and prevents collapse under stress.
According to lead researcher Tushar Jois, the goal is to design a system that remains functional during internet blackouts. Amigo also tackles a major flaw in older models: user traceability. Traditional encryption often leaks metadata, exposing users. Amigo’s new cryptographic design hides group membership and enables secure removal of compromised devices, keeping protesters and responders safer.
From Political Protests to Disaster Zones
While Amigo was inspired by political protests, its potential reaches far beyond activism. It can be vital in disaster recovery when communication infrastructure is destroyed. Researchers like Diogo Baradas from the University of Waterloo note that mesh networks in crowds could help citizens, responders, and volunteers stay connected when the internet goes dark.
Another innovation driving Amigo’s success lies in how it models human movement. Graduate researcher Cora Ruiz found that current mesh systems assume users move randomly, like particles in the air. This flawed assumption causes misrouted messages. Amigo integrates psychological crowd modeling—understanding how people in groups move closer, slower, and in sync. This creates more stable and realistic communication patterns in dense, moving environments.
Real-World Intelligence for Real-World Resilience
By combining cryptography, sociology, and real-world mobility data, Amigo redefines how decentralized networks can operate under stress. Instead of abstract equations, it uses lived experience—insights drawn from activists and journalists who face internet blackouts. This hybrid approach could finally bring mesh networks from theory into practice.
As more global movements, natural disasters, and events challenge centralized systems, Amigo offers a glimpse into a future where communication never goes silent. Mesh networks in crowds may finally become as resilient as the people who depend on them.
