Purpose: To describe the development of a three dimensional programmable transceiver system of modular design for use as a development tool for a variety of wireless sensor node applications.Design/methodology/approach: As a stepping‐stone towards the development of wireless nodes, sensor networks programme was put in place to develop a 25 mm cube module, which was modular in construction, programmable and miniaturised in form factor. This was to facilitate the development of wireless sensor networks for a variety of different applications. The nodes are used as a platform for sensing and actuating through various parameters, for use in scalable, reconfigurable distributed autonomous sensing networks in a number of research projects currently underway in the Tyndall Institute, as well as other institutes and in a variety of research programs in the area of wireless sensor networks.Findings: The modular construction enables the heterogeneous implementation of a variety of technologies required in the arena of wireless sensor networks: Intelligence, numerical processing, memory, sensors, power supply and conditioning, all in a similar form factor. This enables rapid deployment of different sensor network nodes in an application specific fashion.Research limitations/implications: Characterisation of the transceiver module is ongoing, particularly in the field of the wireless communication platform utilized, and its capabilities.Practical implications: A rapid prototyping and development cycle of application specific wireless sensor networks has been enabled by the development of this modular system.Originality/value: This paper provides information about the development work and some potential application areas made available by the implementation of a miniaturised modular wireless sensor node for use in a variety of application scenarios.