StrivePD
StrivePD: Empowering Life with Parkinson's Management
Problem Addressed:
Living with Parkinson's disease presents significant challenges, not only for patients but also for caregivers and family members. The need for continuous symptom tracking, effective medication scheduling, and actionable insights can be overwhelming. This is particularly personal for me, as my dad has Parkinson's, and managing his daily routines is a critical part of our lives.
Personal Impact:
StrivePD has been transformative in our journey to better manage Parkinson's. By integrating robust tracking tools, the app provides insights that help us make informed decisions about my dad's care. For example, identifying patterns in symptom severity and correlating them with medication timing has allowed us to optimize his schedule, significantly improving his day-to-day quality of life. The app’s ability to provide actionable data means fewer guesswork moments and more clarity in addressing challenges.
Development Process:
Leveraging my role as an iOS engineer at Rune Labs, I was able to contribute directly to the development of StrivePD. While the technical aspects were fulfilling, the real motivation came from seeing how the app could impact lives, especially my dad’s. Collaborating with the team, we ensured the app’s user experience was intuitive enough for both patients and caregivers to navigate seamlessly.
Outcomes:
StrivePD isn’t just an app; it’s a lifeline for people like my dad and families like mine. By improving symptom tracking and creating actionable insights, it has brought peace of mind and empowerment to our routines. Whether it's reducing the stress of missed medications or understanding how small lifestyle adjustments can make big differences, the impact has been profound.
Explore More:
For a deeper dive into how StrivePD works and its features, visit the StrivePD Overview.
ExamCram
ExamCram: Revolutionize Your Study Habits
Problem Addressed:
Students spend excessive time creating study materials manually, leading to inefficient preparation and lost productivity. ExamCram tackles this by automating the process of generating quizzes, flashcards, and study guides from input materials such as lecture notes, slides, and textbooks.
Development Process:
• Research: Conducted surveys with students to identify key pain points in studying.
• Prototyping: Designed an intuitive user interface to make quiz and flashcard creation seamless.
• Technology: Employed OpenAI's GPT model to generate quizzes and flashcards, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Iteration: Improved features like NeuroNote (AI-assisted tutoring) based on user feedback from beta testing.
Technologies Used:
• Backend: Flask and Supabase for scalable data management.
• Frontend: Swift for iOS development with SwiftUI.
• AI Integration: OpenAI's GPT API for content generation.
Outcomes:
• Over 12,500 quizzes created by students worldwide.
• Reached 18,000+ downloads in two years.
• Enhanced studying experience through features like NeuroNote, which provides contextual AI assistance.
Key Features:
1. Quick Quizzes: Generate quizzes instantly from notes or images.
2. Fast Flashcards: Convert text or slides into organized flashcards.
3. NeuroNote: AI-powered tutoring tailored to student input.
Challenges & Solutions:
• Challenge: Ensuring AI-generated content aligns with educational standards.
• Solution: Implemented rigorous testing and user feedback loops.
• Challenge: Reducing time-to-value for new users.
• Solution: Developed an intuitive onboarding experience and clear call-to-action prompts.
Impact:
ExamCram has empowered students to study smarter, not harder, saving time and improving productivity. The app has received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Links:
• App Store: Download ExamCram
PingPath
PingPath: Empowering Navigation for the Visually Impaired
Personal Connection and Inspiration:
PingPath originated from a desire to create a meaningful tool for individuals with visual impairments, inspired by the challenges faced during a hackathon, which later deepened after meeting more visually impaired friends. Witnessing how difficult it could be for them to travel independently sparked the idea for PingPath, blending technology and accessibility to redefine navigation.
Problem Addressed:
Traditional navigation tools often rely heavily on visual interfaces, leaving visually impaired users underserved. Existing solutions lack precision, adaptability, and real-time feedback, often leading to frustration and dependency on others for support.
Development Process:
• User-Centered Design: Consulted with visually impaired individuals to understand their pain points and needs.
• Prototype Testing: Developed initial prototypes incorporating spatial audio feedback and haptic vibrations.
• Iterative Improvements: Incorporated user feedback to enhance accuracy and ease of use.
Technologies Used:
• ARKit and CoreLocation: Enabled precise real-time pathfinding and obstacle detection.
• Spatial Audio Cues: Provided intuitive directional guidance.
• Machine Learning Models: Integrated to enhance route prediction and environmental awareness.
Outcomes and Impact:
• Enhanced Independence: PingPath enables visually impaired users to navigate urban and unfamiliar areas with greater confidence.
• Real-World Use Cases: Over 2,000 interactions recorded, illustrating its growing adoption and positive impact.
• Community Feedback: Users have highlighted how PingPath has significantly reduced their dependency on others and increased their mobility.
Looking Ahead:
• Expanded Language Support: Adding more languages for wider accessibility.
• Crowdsourced Data: Incorporating user-contributed data to refine navigation accuracy.
• Integration with Wearables: Exploring integration with smart glasses and haptic wearables for an even more immersive experience.
Personal Reflections:
PingPath has not only been a technical achievement but also a deeply fulfilling project. Seeing how it empowers individuals to regain their independence reaffirms the importance of designing with empathy and purpose.
Links and Resources:
• PingPath's Website
WalkLock
WalkLock: Encouraging Movement through Technology
Personal Connection and Inspiration:
WalkLock started as a personal experiment to encourage healthier habits. Combining my interest in fitness and app development, I wanted to create a tool that motivated users to incorporate movement into their daily routines. Witnessing the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially during busy or sedentary days, inspired me to build WalkLock.
Problem Addressed:
In today’s digital age, many people struggle to stay active. The convenience of apps and technology often promotes a sedentary lifestyle, making it harder to achieve daily fitness goals. WalkLock addresses this by introducing a balance between digital engagement and physical activity.
Development Process:
• Core Idea: Conceptualized the idea of locking apps until users completed a certain number of steps.
• Prototyping: Built an MVP that tracked steps through Apple HealthKit and integrated a locking mechanism for selected apps.
• Testing and Feedback: Conducted beta testing with users who wanted a fun way to stay active, gathering insights to refine the experience.
Technologies Used:
• HealthKit: Integrated for real-time step tracking and activity monitoring.
• Swift for iOS Development: Built a seamless and responsive user experience.
• App Locking API: Used to control access to apps based on physical activity goals.
Outcomes and Impact:
• Improved Fitness Habits: On average, WalkLock users increased their daily steps by 10%.
• Gamification of Movement: Made walking more engaging by rewarding users with app access.
• Community Engagement: Received positive feedback for creating a tool that blends fitness with technology in a meaningful way.
Looking Ahead:
• Social Mode: Adding features for group challenges and leaderboards to foster community-driven fitness.
• Wearable Integration: Exploring compatibility with devices like Apple Watch for enhanced tracking and reminders.
• Customizable Goals: Allowing users to set personalized activity targets, from steps to time-based goals.
Personal Reflections:
Developing WalkLock has been an eye-opening experience. It’s rewarding to see how technology can positively influence health habits, creating a balance between screen time and physical activity. WalkLock represents my commitment to designing tools that make wellness accessible and enjoyable.
Links and Resources:
• WalkLock on the App Store
PodPowerPodPosture
PodPower & PodPosture: Redefining AirPods as Fitness and Wellness Tools
Inspiration:
PodPower and PodPosture emerged from a simple observation: most people wear AirPods daily but use only a fraction of their potential. Combining my love for tech and health, I wanted to create tools that transform AirPods into devices that actively promote wellness and fitness.
Problem Addressed:
• PodPower: Many fitness apps lack accurate, real-time tracking for micro-movements and workout reps, limiting their usefulness for certain exercises.
• PodPosture: With sedentary lifestyles on the rise, poor posture has become a common yet overlooked issue, often leading to chronic discomfort or long-term health problems.
Development Process:
• Research & Ideation: Identified motion sensors in AirPods as an untapped opportunity for both posture correction and fitness tracking.
• Prototyping: Developed initial concepts to measure head and neck movements for posture and micro-movements for exercises.
• Iterative Feedback: Tested the apps with fitness enthusiasts and desk workers to ensure accuracy and ease of use.
Technologies Used:
• CoreMotion Framework: Leveraged AirPods motion sensors to detect subtle movements and calculate posture angles.
• Real-Time Feedback: Integrated audio and haptic cues for instant alerts.
• SwiftUI: Designed intuitive, user-friendly interfaces tailored for both apps.
Outcomes and Impact:
• PodPower:
• Increased workout efficiency by providing real-time movement insights.
• PodPosture:
• User testimonials report reduced neck and back pain after consistent use.
Challenges Overcome:
• Accuracy: Fine-tuned algorithms to minimize false positives, ensuring reliable posture and rep tracking.
• Adoption: Educated users on the hidden potential of their AirPods to maximize engagement.
Future Enhancements:
• PodPower:
• Add support for more advanced workout types and gamify fitness tracking to boost user motivation.
• PodPosture:
• Introduce integration with workplace tools for posture alerts during meetings or work sessions.
• Develop a posture leaderboard for community-based engagement.
Reflections:
These apps have demonstrated how everyday devices can be reimagined to solve real-world problems. PodPower and PodPosture have not only improved users' fitness and health but also opened new doors for leveraging consumer technology creatively.
Links and Resources:
• PodPower on the App Store
• PodPosture on the App Store
