Blu: A Bluetooth Tracker App for Personal Safety

Inspiration

The inspiration for Blu came from my insatiable desire for the PHILIPS PH802 Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones. It was a transcendent moment when I first laid eyes on the illustrious Venushacks rewards page, knowing deep within my soul that I was fated to claim those coveted headphones.

In this modern age, if you've acquired a smartphone post-2016, chances are your audio experience has undergone a transformation. The sacred headphone jack has been forsaken, making way for the rise of fiendish Bluetooth earbuds. The throngs of individuals adorned with these wireless evils have grown exponentially, creating a sea of Bluetooth-enabled beings.

What it does

Blu is a Bluetooth tracker app that detects nearby signals, determines their proximity, and tracks their duration. It helps users assess their surroundings and be aware of any potential risks. By leveraging the power of Bluetooth technology, Blu provides real-time updates on nearby Bluetooth devices, enabling users to take proactive measures for their personal safety.

How we built it

We built Blu using the Flutter framework, enabling cross-platform compatibility. The FlutterBlue plugin was utilized to access the Bluetooth functionality of devices. Through Flutter's hot reload feature, we iteratively developed and refined the app's functionality and user experience. The app features a user-friendly interface with intuitive visualizations of nearby Bluetooth signals and their proximity.

Challenges we ran into

One of the primary challenges we faced was accurately determining proximity based on Bluetooth signal strength. Our solution was to compare relative rssi signals to determine if these signals were getting further or closer. Like a radar, but we cannot detect intercontinental ballistic missiles (our domain does not extend to detecting intercontinental ballistic missiles, for they lack the majestic power of Bluetooth.).

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of creating a functional and intuitive app that empowers users to enhance their personal safety. We successfully integrated Bluetooth scanning capabilities into the app, providing users with valuable information about nearby devices and potential threats.

What we learned

Through the development of Blu, we gained a deeper understanding of Bluetooth technology, user privacy concerns, and creating engaging UI/UX experiences. We learned how to leverage Flutter's capabilities to build a cross-platform app that works seamlessly on both Android and iOS devices. Additionally, we honed our skills in handling real-world safety challenges through innovative app development, addressing various technical and design complexities along the way.

What's next for Blu

Moving forward, we have an exciting roadmap for Blu's future. We plan to add more customization options, allowing users to personalize their app experience by changing color schemes (allowing users to transcend the realm of blue and embrace hues that resonate with their very souls), alert sounds, and notification settings. Enhancing emergency features is another priority, enabling users to send distress signals with their location information to trusted contacts or emergency services. Additionally, we aim to incorporate advanced analytics to provide users with valuable insights, such as displaying maps of detected Bluetooth signals, a history of triggered alerts, and a safety rating system.

Blu is dedicated to making a positive impact on individuals' lives, helping them feel safer, more confident, and empowered in their daily routines. Together, let's create a world where everyone can move through their surroundings with a sense of security and peace of mind from everything but the audacious few who dare switch off their Bluetooth signals (and, of course, intercontinental ballistic missiles).