Inspiration
Our project is inspired by the recent disappearance of Sudiksha, a college student at the University of Pittsburgh, who went missing while vacationing in the Dominican Republic. This tragic event highlighted the urgent need for better search measures for missing individuals, as despite searching for weeks, she went unfound. Motivated by this, we developed an innovative solution that creates an efficient management system for search parties (groups formed to find missing people), with features such as real-time location tracking, consolidated communication, and heat maps of covered areas. We hope that this solution will help ensure the safety of individuals in the future, saving countless lives.
What it does
Our app allows people to create and join search parties for missing persons, providing a message board for real-time communication among members. It features live location tracking so participants can see each other’s positions, along with a heatmap tab to highlight recently searched areas and avoid redundancy, effectively optimizing time spent searching.
How we built it
We built the app using React Native with Expo for quick development and cross-platform support. We utilized Firebase for authentication and real-time data storage. First, we set up Firebase Authentication to handle user login and account creation, storing user data in Firestore. For the search party feature, we created Firestore collections to store party details and user information. We then used React Native to design the app's UI and integrated Apple Maps for the search area. Firebase's real-time capabilities allowed us to sync user locations and chat messages, ensuring smooth interaction. AI used for Time Trail logo and UI improvements.
Challenges we ran into
As Firebase beginners, we initially faced confusion around setting up authentication and understanding how to structure data in Firestore, especially when syncing real-time location data. Integrating real-time location tracking with Firebase was a major challenge, as we needed to ensure user positions updated accurately and quickly across multiple devices. Managing user privacy, particularly with location sharing, added complexity, as we had to balance real-time updates with respecting user preferences. Designing a smooth, intuitive UI in React Native was also tough, especially when working with maps and ensuring responsiveness on different screen sizes.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud of how we turned a real, relatively recent story into an impactful solution. Despite being beginners with Firebase, we learned quickly and built an app that enables users to create and join search parties, track locations in real-time, and communicate seamlessly. We successfully integrated Firebase for user authentication and real-time data syncing, which allowed for smooth location sharing and updates. Through our React Native design, we created an intuitive and responsive app that works across devices. What’s most rewarding is knowing that we developed a tool that could truly make a difference in critical situations, embodying the hackathon theme of innovating for impact.
What we learned
Throughout this project, we gained valuable experience with Firebase, from setting up authentication to managing real-time data syncing in Firestore. We learned how to effectively structure data to handle live location tracking, a challenging aspect given our limited prior experience. Additionally, we strengthened our skills in React Native, creating a responsive interface that works seamlessly across devices. Beyond technical skills, we also learned how to design with urgency in mind, prioritizing quick updates and intuitive communication features essential in time-sensitive scenarios.
What's next for TimeTrail
Next, we plan to implement better methods for verifying user locations to prevent spoofing and ensure data integrity. Additionally, we’re considering integrating emergency contacts or local authorities to further extend the app’s impact in critical situations. Finally, we plan to gather user feedback to fine-tune the interface, streamline the user experience, and identify potential new features that align with the core goal of maximizing time efficiency in urgent search scenarios.
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