Loko

Loko is a tiny, easy-to-use, open-source, battery-operated, GPS tracker that sends navigation data to its receiver via peer-to-peer LoRa radio. Loko works through radio communication and does not require a SIM card or monthly fee. It also works anywhere, even if there is no 2G, 3G, or LTE coverage.

Excellent for Drones & More

Loko is an investment that allows drone owners to protect against the common occurrence of crashes and signal loss. But Loko is useful for more than just drone tracking. You can keep track of any device or belonging, which is important in a variety of personal and professional settings where you need to know a location in realtime.

Loko Is Tiny & Lightweight

Loko is designed to support ultra-low power consumption and can operate for up to 250 days on a single charge with its tiny, built-in, coin-cell battery. The transmitter weighs around 12 grams (0.42 oz) and is only slightly larger than the the tip of a finger (30 x 23 mm). As a result, it is appropriate for use with size- and weight-sensitive products like mini-drones. And yet, despite its diminutive form factor, Loko features a durable plastic enclosure that makes it crash resistant, water resistant, and dust proof.

Built With Extremely Low-Power Embedded Design

Loko operates with two units: The Ground Unit (receiver), and the Air Unit (transmitter). The Air Unit transmits navigation data to the Ground Unit at a pre-configured time interval, and the Ground Unit transmits the received data to a smartphone app via Bluetooth. The app automatically shows the location of any Loko Air modules on a 2D map. By giving a unique ID to each Loko Air unit, up to 30 Air units can pair with a single Loko Ground unit.

How It Works

Example use case for finding a lost drone:

• Attach the Loko Air Module to your drone and operate as you normally would.
• If your drone goes missing, turn on the Loko Ground Unit to search for it.
• Once the Ground unit receives signal from the Air Unit, the location of the Air Unit will appear on the Loko smartphone app.
• Follow the directions provided by the Loko app to recover your drone.

Loko Configuration App

Loko uses a simple computer app to configure parameters. Those parameters are:

• ID1: A three-digit ID that pairs the Loko Air unit to a Loko Ground Unit
• ID2: A two-digit ID that separates each Loko Air unit in the same network
• Data Interval: The data-transmit interval sets the Loko Air units sleep period, which prolongs battery life
• Frequency: 868 Mhz - 923 Mhz: EU868/US915/AU915/AS923/KR920/IN865

LoRaWAN® Connectivity

Loko can be connected to existing LoRaWAN networks. The Loko software is being adapted so it can connect to any existing LoRaWAN® gateway to get data from the Loko Air unit to the Internet for IoT integration. This feature will be released in a future firmware update.

Features & Specifications

• Works anywhere you go
• No cellular signal or internet access required
• No monthly fees
• Range: 5+ km
• Locate lost objects with pinpoint accuracy
• Up to 250 day battery life per charge for the Air unit (depending on how often it is set to transmit its location)
• Expandable up to 30 Air units per Ground unit

Loko Air Unit (transmitter):

• Navigation: 33 tracking/99 acquisition-channel GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO receiver
• Radio frequency: Worldwide-compatibility, wide-frequency range EU868/US915/AU915/AS923/KR920/IN865
• Radio: LoRa Peer-to Peer communication, software update will support global LoRaWAN® frequency plan
• Weight: 12 g (0.42 oz.)
• Size: 30 x 23 mm
• Battery life: Up to 250 days (in sleep mode), depending on the transmit interval
• Range: 5+ km
• GPS precision: ~2.5 m radius precision
• Water resistant: IPX7 water resistance for light rain
• Charging: 5 V USB Type-C power adapter
• Phone app: Available for iPhone and Android. Ground unit transmits data to smartphone via Bluetooth
• Software: PC configuration software
• Auto turn-on feature: Loko turns on automatically when it is powered from a USB port or on-board power source. This feature is added in case the user forgets to power on before drone flight
• Durable enclosure: dust proof and durable hard plastic case is crash-resistant
• No monthly fee: No subscription required for operation
• Multiple tracking: can track up to 30 Loko Air units at the same time
• USB Type-C extension board: This extension board is for developers who would like to work on firmware for the Loko microcontroller. Loko makes hardware-debug pins available to an ST-Link debugger through its USB connector. This extension board gives easy access to all 22 pins of the Loko's USB Type-C connector and comes free with every Loko Air unit.

Loko Ground Unit (receiver):

• Radios: LoRa Peer-to-Peer, Bluetooth, and LoRaWAN® (available soon via software update)
• ANT: Antenna connector, SMA male. Comes with a standard antenna and a high-gain, 8-dbi, Yagi, directional antenna
• Button: Turns on and off with a three-second button press
• USB: USB Type-C connector for built in battery charging and setting the Loko Ground Unit parameters
• Battery Type: Uses Li-Ion 18650 batteries (not included)
• Battery Life: Charge lasts 6 hours with a 3600 mAh battery
• Size: 114 x 26 x 29 mm
• Weight: 110 g (including battery)

Comparisons

Support & Documentation

Loko is open source, and our board schematics, firmware, software, and datasheet are available in our GitHub repo. We also have a Discord channel for Loko users to ask questions and share ideas.