Project Overview

Project Summary:

Our project, "PathPal," is a digital solution designed to improve mobility for people with disabilities. By integrating generative AI technology, we've developed a chatbot service and a platform that connects users with volunteers to assist with transportation and walking support. This innovative service addresses the everyday transportation challenges faced by people with disabilities, enhancing their independence and participation in society. The primary technologies used include the Flutter Framework, Google Maps Platform, Firebase, Flask, ChatGPT, and LangChain.

Identifying the Challenge

The Social Problem:

The social issue our team addresses is the mobility challenges faced by people with disabilities. Despite making up over 5.2% of the population, individuals with disabilities experience significant barriers in transportation, often requiring 2-3 times longer to travel compared to non-disabled individuals. Addressing this issue is crucial for fostering an inclusive society where every individual has equal access to mobility and the opportunities it brings.

Innovation and Uniqueness

Why Our Project Stands Out:

PathPal stands out through its innovative use of generative AI to offer a seamless chatbot experience, providing real-time information on accessible transportation facilities. Unlike existing solutions that are often fragmented and unreliable, our platform integrates volunteer support with AI technology, offering a comprehensive solution to the mobility challenges faced by the disabled community. This unique approach not only improves accessibility but also promotes community involvement in supporting social inclusion.

Insights and Development

Learning Journey:

Throughout the development of PathPal, our team learned the importance of user-centric design and the potential of AI to make real-world impacts. We encountered challenges in integrating diverse technologies for a seamless user experience. Overcoming these challenges involved collaborative problem-solving and continuous testing with potential users. Our journey was profoundly touched by the unexpected outpouring of volunteer willingness to support, illuminating the heartwarming potential of PathPal to forge meaningful social change.

Development Process:

PathPal was built using a blend of cutting-edge tools and technologies, including Flutter for mobile application development, Google Maps for navigation, Flask & Firebase for backend services, and the integration of ChatGPT and LangChain for AI-powered chat services.

Our development journey began at the concept's inception, crafting user-centric prototypes and refining them through continuous testing. Embracing Agile, we ensured adaptability and swift feedback integration. GitHub repositories significantly facilitated collaborative experiments and parallel enhancements, streamlining our workflow.