Online Team BUZZNAV app

BUZZNAV is an app that uses custom vibrations and voice commands to help users navigate, stay on task, and stay safe—no screen needed, just touch, talk, or both.

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Project Document: BuzzNav

Project Title: BuzzNav — Voice & Vibration Based Smart Navigation and Reminder System Category: Accessibility / Navigation / Assistive Technology / Productivity

What does it do? BuzzNav is an inclusive mobile application designed to assist users in navigating environments, managing reminders, and avoiding obstacles using a customizable blend of vibration (haptic feedback) and voice guidance. The app is designed to help visually impaired individuals, elderly people with cognitive challenges, people with mental health issues, and students or professionals seeking distraction-free productivity.

Project Goal To create a screen-free or low-vision-friendly tool that supports independent living and efficient time management using intuitive, non-visual cues.

-> User Mode Customization

-> Users can choose their preferred feedback method:

-> Vibration Mode: Tactile feedback through custom vibration patterns

-> Voice Mode: Spoken instructions using TTS (text-to-speech)

Hybrid Mode: The app provides a default combination of both vibration and voice for increased clarity. The user can switch to vibration only or voice only as per their preference. This allows the app to adapt to user preferences and accessibility needs.

App Features

  1. Smart Navigation: Turn-by-turn guidance using haptic or voice feedback

For example: Left (2 short buzzes), Right (1 short), Stop (1 long buzz) Real-time GPS and compass-based direction

  1. Reminder System: Time-based and location-based reminders. Each reminder can have a unique vibration or voice prompt. BuzzNav comes with a customizable vibration setting. Scheduled and recurring reminders are supported.

  2. Obstacle Detection: BuzzNav uses phone's proximity sensor (or external wearable in future) to detect nearby obstacles. Notifies users via sudden vibration or a warning voice prompt.

  3. Voice Command Integration: Fully voice-operable For example: “Set reminder for meeting at 2 PM,” “Navigate to dormitory”

  4. Emergency Contact Trigger: One-tap or voice-activated emergency alert with location sharing. Vibrates or speaks confirmation when alert is sent.

Who is it for? Essentially, everyone! We all have tasks and responsibilities that an app like BuzzNav would help keep track of. BuzzNav focuses on helping: Visually impaired individuals seeking screen-free navigation. Elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia who need reminders and assistance. Students or professionals looking for productivity tools that reduce screen time and distractions.

Meet the Users:

  1. Anya(21, Blind College Student): Uses hybrid mode to walk around campus and set reminders for classes.
  2. Mr. Hank(68, Memory Challenges): Uses voice mode exclusively to get reminders about medications and appointments.
  3. Zara (19, Student with ADHD): Uses vibration-only reminders to stay focused without distractions.

How did we come up with the design? Minimalist UI with high contrast, large buttons. Accessibility-first design principles (ARIA labels, screen reader support, tactile preview screen). Designed in Figma (screens include: Home, Navigation, Reminders, Settings, Emergency).

Technical Stack(Future Enhancements) Mobile Framework: Flutter / React Native Voice Processing: Google Speech API or Apple SiriKit Haptic Feedback: Native vibration APIs (Android/iOS) Navigation: Google Maps API + compass Obstacle Detection: Phone sensors / future wearable device integration

Accessible on: BuzzNav Wearable: Smartwatch or clip-on device with stronger haptic feedback. Apple/Android mobile devices.

Who Inspired Us? BuzzNav improves day-to-day mobility, time management, and independence for users who are often excluded from traditional screen-centric solutions. By embracing vibration and voice, we make life more accessible and intuitive. As college students ourselves, we observed that a lot of other college students use reminder apps/timers to get work done. We thought of expanding on this ideology of using vibrations to navigate various locations.

Catch the Vision of BuzzNav To empower every user with the ability to navigate and live independently, regardless of their visual, cognitive, or attention challenges—through the simplicity of a buzz or a word. Let’s take accessibility beyond screens — with BuzzNav.

Challenges: Most of us had little to no prior experience using Figma, so translating our vision of how the app should function into a working prototype was a challenge. For example, it took us nearly an hour just to create a single button, and we ran out of time before we could implement a functioning drop-down menu.

What We Learned: We gained a deeper understanding of UI/UX design and how to create interfaces that are accessible to a broader range of users. Additionally, we explored various Figma tools and learned how they can be used to support front-end development.

Built With

  • figma
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