Ambu-Alert

Inspiration

My inspiration for this solution came from a real-life incident that left a deep impact on me. It was a situation where an ambulance was unable to reach the hospital in time due to heavy traffic congestion, tragically resulting in the loss of the patient's life. This heartbreaking incident made me realize the urgent need for a solution that could help improve emergency response times and save lives. It was a stark reminder of how critical it is to address issues like traffic congestion when it comes to public safety.

What it does

The final project is designed to send out alerts to the devices that are located along the ambulance's route. These alerts notify people about the approaching ambulance, prompting them to clear the way and make it easier for the ambulance to pass through. The current prototype of the project includes a website that utilizes Google Cloud and various APIs to gather data about the ambulance's location and available services. This information is crucial for ensuring a swift and unobstructed path for the ambulance, ultimately improving emergency response times and potentially saving lives.

How we built it

We built this project using a combination of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Google Maps APIs, along with Node.js. HTML and CSS were employed for creating the website's structure and styling. JavaScript, including the React library, played a pivotal role in developing the dynamic and interactive elements of the project. The Google Maps APIs were used to access and display location data and services on the map. Node.js helped manage the server-side operations and ensure the efficient functioning of the system.

Challenges we ran into

As freshmen with limited coding experience, we encountered several fundamental challenges during the development of this project. One of the major hurdles was our lack of knowledge about how to integrate APIs and work with code in JavaScript and React. Here are some of the specific challenges we faced:

API Integration: We had difficulty understanding how to plug in and effectively use APIs, especially the Google Maps APIs, which were essential for our project's functionality.

JavaScript and React: Given our limited coding background, getting to grips with JavaScript and React posed a significant learning curve. We had to learn how to write code in these languages from scratch, which was both challenging and time-consuming.

Technical Understanding: Understanding the technical intricacies of web development, including handling server-side operations with Node.js, was another obstacle for us as beginners.

Despite these challenges, we were determined to overcome them and push forward with our project. We sought help from online resources, tutorials, and mentors to gradually build our coding skills and make progress in developing our solution.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We take pride in our accomplishments as beginners in the world of coding and web development. Despite the challenges we faced, such as limited knowledge of APIs, JavaScript, and React, we were able to make effective use of Google Cloud's API for our project. Rapidly grasping the intricacies of JavaScript and React, we managed to create a working website within a remarkably short timeframe of 9 hours, even though 4 of those hours were spent on debugging. This quick turnaround from concept to a fully functional prototype showcases our dedication, problem-solving abilities, and our commitment to addressing the critical issue of improving emergency response times.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we embarked on a significant learning journey. We gained valuable knowledge and experience in several key areas. Implementing APIs: We learned how to integrate and utilize APIs effectively, particularly the Google Cloud API, which was integral to our project's functionality. Learning JavaScript and React: As newcomers, we quickly grasped the fundamentals of JavaScript and React, two essential languages for web development.

What's next for Ambu-Alert

As we approach graduation, our focus is on elevating our project to the status of an exceptional final year endeavor. We are determined to enhance its functionality, conduct user testing, and explore opportunities for scalability. Our commitment to documentation and a compelling project presentation is aimed at making this a noteworthy contribution, addressing the crucial issue of improving emergency response times. We're excited to continue developing our project and make a positive impact as we step into our final year.