Live Mapping 360! What exactly does it do? How does it work?

Live Mapping 360 is a mobile application designed to provide users with real-time geographical information. Once registered, the app displays a map of the user's community, offering two key navigation options. The first is a navigation bar, allowing users to manually select and explore specific areas of interest. The second is a "center" option, which automatically pinpoints the user's current location. This feature is particularly useful for individuals needing quick access to nearby risk zones or areas of interest, as it facilitates immediate orientation and exploration. It helps users identify potential hazards or simply learn more about the area they are currently in.

The app also includes an environmental analysis option, providing users with crucial data such as precipitation levels, climate conditions, and temperature trends. This real-time information enables users to stay informed about weather patterns that might affect their safety.

Additionally, Live Mapping 360 offers satellite based analysis and access to historical data on natural phenomena. This allows users to anticipate natural hazards such as floods, radiation zone , storms based on past patterns or fire zones, giving them the opportunity to prepare accordingly or learn what has happened in that area recently. Satellite imagery provides a broader perspective on environmental changes and potential danger zones.

Zone Scanner

In this section, users become active participants in contributing to the app’s data collection. The community can report potential risk areas directly within the application, adding valuable information about local hazards that might not yet be reflected in official sources. This user driven reporting helps others in the community stay informed about real time dangers, such as landslides, wildfires, or accidents, encouraging collective responsibility and fostering a safer environment for everyone. The collaborative nature of the app ensures that the information is up-to-date and relevant to all users.

Chat Bot

The chatbot feature allows users to access a wide range of frequently asked questions related to environmental risks. These pre generated questions address common concerns such as “What should I do in case of a flood?” or “How’s the weather in this place?” In addition, users have the option to ask their own specific questions, which will be answered by the AI-powered chatbot. This functionality enhances the user experience by providing instant, personalized information, helping users understand and respond to potential threats effectively. The AI continuously improves its responses based on user interactions, ensuring the most accurate and relevant information is provided.

User Profile

Includes a personalized user profile where individuals can register their name and personal information, such as address and phone number, to facilitate identification and improve the accuracy of alerts. Additionally, it features a "Safe Zone" section, which provides users with the nearest safe location in case of an earthquake or tremor. This information is updated in real-time and uses the user's location to ensure they always have quick and secure access to evacuation routes during emergencies.

Justification

Live Mapping 360 is essential because it offers a unique combination of real time data, community sourced information, and AI-driven insights. In a world where environmental changes and natural disasters are increasingly unpredictable, this app provides an invaluable tool for individuals and governments alike. It empowers users to stay informed and make critical decisions regarding their safety and well being, while also fostering greater community engagement in risk management.

Important Facts

This application highlights various natural and environmental phenomena that many users may not have previously been aware of, such as potential flood zones, areas with high seismic activity, or regions prone to wildfires. Live Mapping 360 raises awareness about these hazards and encourages users to take proactive measures in case they encounter these risks. It serves as a preventative tool, reminding users of dangers they might otherwise overlook.

What Benefits Does It Have?

The benefits of Live Mapping 360 are numerous. First, it provides real time information about environmental conditions, helping users make informed decisions about their surroundings. Second, the app's ability to integrate both community reported data and satellite analysis ensures users receive the most comprehensive and up to date information available. Finally, its AI-powered chatbot and intuitive interface make the app accessible and user friendly, ensuring that anyone, regardless of technical skill, can navigate it effectively.

What Do You Hope to Achieve?

Our primary goal is to make users aware of potential environmental hazards in their surroundings. By providing them with accurate, real time data and tools to explore their environment, we aim to help them better understand the risks they might face and how to prepare for them. Ultimately, we hope to foster a culture of preparedness, where users feel empowered to take action to protect themselves and their communities.

What Tools, Coding Languages, Hardware, or Software Did You Use to Develop Your Project?

We developed the prototype of Live Mapping 360 using the design tool Figma, which allowed us to create an intuitive and visually appealing user interface. The icons and images used within the app were sourced from websites like Boxicons and FontAwesome, ensuring that all visuals are consistent and professional.

Space Agency Data

We leveraged data provided by NASA to develop the environmental analysis feature of the app. For example, the information available through NASA’s GIS Portal helped us incorporate satellite imagery related to weather patterns and environmental conditions. This data inspired us to develop real-time analysis tools within our app, allowing users to view and track similar phenomena.

We also used data from NASA’s EarthData Search to access satellite information on land deformation and seismic activity. This data was instrumental in developing the historical analysis of natural events feature, which helps users better understand recurring environmental risks.

Additionally, we integrated local data from the Open Data Ecuador platform to provide monthly temperature trends, further enhancing our app’s ability to deliver region-specific information to users.

Scalability

Live Mapping 360 has significant scalability potential. Various governments and organizations can adopt this application to improve disaster preparedness and environmental monitoring efforts. Governments can use the app to disseminate vital information to citizens, monitor risk zones, and coordinate emergency responses. Furthermore, the app can be expanded to cover more regions, incorporate additional languages, and integrate more advanced AI-driven analytics as the user base grows. This makes Live Mapping 360 a versatile tool with global relevance.

2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Live Mapping 360