Introducing Precursor

Precursor (pre·​cur·​sor | \ pri-ˈkər-sər):

1. one that precedes or gives rise to; a predecessor; harbinger

2. a pocketable open development board

Precursor is a mobile, open source electronics platform. Similar to how a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino can be transformed into an IoT gadget with the addition of a couple breakout boards, some solder, and a bit of code, Precursor is a framework upon which you can assemble a wide variety of DIY mobile applications.

Precursor is unique in the open source electronics space in that it’s designed from the ground-up to be carried around in your pocket. It’s not just a naked circuit board with connectors hanging off at random locations: it comes fully integrated—with a rechargeable battery, a display, and a keyboard—in a sleek, 7.2 mm (quarter-inch) aluminum case.

Precursor → Betrusted

Followers of my blog will recognize the case design from Betrusted, a secure-communication device. It’s certainly no accident that Precursor looks like Betrusted, as the latter is built upon the former. Betrusted is a great example of the kind of thing that you (and we) might want to make using Precursor. Betrusted is a huge software project, however, and it will require several years to get right.

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Over the coming months, I’ll be mirroring some of the more relevant posts from the campaign onto my blog, sometimes with additional commentary like this. There’s over two years of effort that have gone into building Precursor, and I look forward to sharing with you the insights and knowledge gained on my journey.