Inspiration
The idea for ADHD Focus Companion emerged from the daily struggles individuals with ADHD face in maintaining focus and managing their attention during tasks. Existing tools often lack real-time adaptability to the user's needs, leaving them either under-stimulated or overwhelmed. By leveraging biometrics from the Apple Watch and eye-tracking technology, we wanted to create a tool that adjusts dynamically to help users manage their attention and work habits in a healthy and effective way.
What it does
ADHD Focus Companion is a web extension that helps users with ADHD maintain focus and regulate their attention during study or work sessions. It monitors heart rate through the Apple Watch to track stress or potential distractions and uses camera-based eye tracking to gauge focus levels. If the user becomes inattentive, the extension offers several interventions, allowing the user to choose from:
Playing brown noise to improve concentration. Flashing images to regain attention. Suggesting a yoga exercise to reset focus. Recommending breaks to reduce stress. Offering guided breathing exercises to calm the user. Switching to a different content mode (e.g., from reading to audio). These personalized options ensure that the user can regain focus or take restorative actions, all within a seamless browser experience.
How we built it
We developed ADHD Focus Companion as a web extension using:
Apple Watch Integration: Through Apple HealthKit, we collect heart rate data to assess user engagement and stress. Eye Tracking: Using OpenCV, we track eye movements via the user’s camera to detect attention shifts and potential distractions. Web Extension Technologies (JavaScript/HTML/CSS): The extension interface allows users to interact directly from their browser, providing real-time insights and feedback.
Challenges we ran into
A major challenge we faced was achieving accurate eye tracking in different lighting conditions and for users with varying physical setups (e.g., those who wear glasses). Additionally, integrating real-time biometric data like heart rate into a web extension presented its own set of technical challenges, particularly syncing data from the Apple Watch to the browser in a reliable manner.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud of developing a cohesive and accessible web extension that provides real-time feedback using heart rate monitoring and eye-tracking. This solution offers ADHD users personalized interventions when they start losing focus, making it a helpful companion for daily productivity. Our biggest accomplishment is creating a solution that fits seamlessly into users' existing workflows through the web extension format.
What we learned
We learned a great deal about combining different technologies—such as heart rate data from the Apple Watch and real-time eye tracking—within the confines of a web extension. Handling biometric data efficiently within a browser environment required overcoming unique hurdles related to performance and data syncing, and we gained valuable insights into making these systems work together fluidly.
What's next for ADHD Focus Companion
Going forward, we plan to expand the range of available functionalities users can select when they become inattentive, such as meditation guides, screen light adjustments, and distraction-blocking features that temporarily lock access to distracting websites or apps. We are also considering expanding the device compatibility to support more sensors for additional biometric insights, further personalizing the experience to each user’s focus needs.
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