EcoBuddies

Inspiration

We were inspired by the Duolingo language learning app. We wanted to build something that would educate more people to be sustainable by making suitability fun and accessible. We want to build an educational app that can be accessed by people on a daily basis to make environment-friendly activities become a part of user's life.

What it does

This app features three different animal buddies: a whale, a polar bear, and a koala. Each animal buddy comes from an environment that has been affected by various results of human activities: ocean pollution, global warming, and deforestation. The users will be encouraged to complete various tasks that helps with the specific issue the animal buddy has experienced to increase the happiness of the animal buddy. After the user selects a task, the animal buddy will provide tips about how to accomplish it.

The app also includes a trash camera that is able to detect different kinds of trash and give advice on what the user should do with it. For example, if the user wants to dispose of a empty pen, the app will identify that it's a pen, and tell the user that they should take the pen apart and dispose of the cartridge separately and recycle the pen body.

Our app also allows the user to chat with the animal buddy. The user will be able to talk directly to the animal to start an interactive adventure. The buddy is able to give step by step advice on how to make daily activities such as going to grocery stores more sustainable.

How we built it

We used Streamlit framework for our website, which allowed us to see our edits in real time. We used the Gemini API for our integrated chatbot and trash identification feature. The API is able to act as the user's pet and talk to the users about ways they can be more sustainable. We also used Github to organize our code as well as version control.

Challenges we ran into

The major challenge we ran into was decided how we should implement our features. We started by listing out the features we wanted to implement, but we realized that they felt disconnected. We realized that we had to first find a central theme for our app, which was that users should feel motivated to perform small acts that contribute to sustainability. From this idea, we were inspired to add the buddy feature, since having a friend makes the app more fun and engaging.

One technical problem that we ran into was when we were inserting our custom GIF file into the app. We had some trouble to get Streamlit to intake the GIF file for some parts of the website. We successfully bypassed this problem by uploading the GIFs on to GIPHY and using the link to the GIF.

Another challenge we ran into at the beginning of the project was when we were deciding between making a mobile app or a website. We were conflicted because a mobile app would make it easier for people to use on the go, but our Windows users would not be able to get XCode. We thought a website would be easier to implement, and all of us could work on it with our variable machines. We ended up going with a website since it would be faster to do with the time crunch nature of the hackathon, and all of us could work on it.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Every part of Eco Buddies — from the animations to the quizzes to the rewards system — has been thoughtfully designed with purpose. We are proud that our hard work, countless hours of dedication, and creative vision have resulted in a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and meaningful educational app. Each feature not only engages users but also reinforces real-world environmental awareness. Seeing our initial ideas evolve into a complete, interactive product has been incredibly rewarding. We are excited for users to experience Eco Buddies, and we look forward to making an impact by promoting sustainability through education and engagement.

What we learned

We learned how to work collaboratively under time pressure, combining our ideas and skills to create a real, usable product. We gained hands-on experience with Streamlit, Gemini AI, and integrating AI tools into interactive apps. Along the way, we sharpened our coding, problem-solving, and design thinking skills. Most importantly, we learned how to adapt quickly, divide tasks effectively, and turn our vision of promoting sustainability into a functional platform for users.

What's next for EcoBuddies

The app is designed to focus on promoting sustainable habits through daily challenges. Each day, users are presented with new, eco-friendly tasks that encourage consistent, positive actions, helping to establish a routine of environmentally conscious behavior. The users will be able to earn points and contribute to the growth of their virtual "buddy’s" happiness that is cumulative through out. As the user completes tasks and the buddy’s happiness increases, we’ll introduce more personalized features: the buddy’s attitude and responses will evolve, reflecting the positive changes in its well-being.

Additionally, a "friend system" will be integrated, enabling users to connect with others, share progress, and support each other on their sustainability journey. This not only makes the app a tool for individual growth but also fosters a sense of community and collective impact.