HeatIQ

Live Demo: heatiq.netlify.app GitHub: github.com/Patrick-Lahoud/HeatIQ

HeatIQ is an all-in-one heat protection platform that combines shade-aware navigation, personal risk analysis, city climate monitoring, and an AI safety assistant to keep you safe and cool in extreme weather.

Inspiration

Extreme heat is fast becoming one of the most dangerous weather hazards worldwide, yet traditional weather apps only give a single temperature reading for an entire city. They don't tell you where shade is, how your personal health factors into heat stress, or where to find immediate cooling shelter.

We built HeatIQ to bridge the gap between raw weather forecasts and real-time human safety, turning complex climate data into actionable, shade-optimized guidance when temperatures spike.

What it does

HeatIQ provides a multi-layered defense against extreme heat:

• Interactive Cooling Map & Shade Navigation: Connects users to a global database of cooling centers, libraries, splash pads, public pools, shaded parks, and water refill stations. Built-in live voice navigation plans walking, biking, or transit routes specifically optimized to keep you in the shade.
• Personal Risk Assessment: Calculates individualized heat vulnerability by factoring in age, medical/physical conditions, hydration levels, clothing choice, sun exposure, and whether you are out with a pet.
• Climate & UV Analysis: Tracks live heat index numbers alongside UV graphs, humidity, wind analysis, personalized daily protection schedules, and emergency helplines.
• AI Heat & Shelter Assistant: A context-aware conversational assistant that delivers instant, tailored safety recommendations based on your exact profile, real-time location, and local climate metrics.

How we built it

• Frontend & Deployment: Built as a responsive web application and deployed on Netlify for fast, reliable access across desktop and mobile devices.
• Navigation & Geo Data: Structured routing logic and spatial canopy datasets to prioritize shaded pathways, paired with a live voice-guided navigation system.
• Risk Engine & AI: Created a multi-variable risk calculator that feeds real-time health inputs and microclimate variables directly into an AI assistant tailored for heat safety guidance.

Challenges we ran into

• Shade-Weighted Navigation: Balancing the shortest route with maximum shade coverage required tuning pathfinding logic so users aren't sent miles out of their way just to stay in the shade.
• Multi-Factor Risk Modeling: Combining diverse variables (such as pet safety, hydration levels, attire, and age) into a simple, intuitive assessment score without overwhelming the user with inputs.
• Outdoor Usability: Designing an interface with high contrast and readable typography that remains legible under direct sunlight on mobile screens.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• End-to-End Live Deployment: Successfully built and deployed a fully functional web app with live navigation and interactive AI features.
• Shade-First Routing: Creating a functional navigation system that prioritizes physical canopy cover over standard direct paths.
• Inclusive Safety Features: Integrating often-overlooked risk factors like pet care and clothing choices directly into heat safety planning.

What we learned

• Microclimates Matter: City-wide temperatures miss crucial ground-level variations caused by urban heat islands, wind tunnels, and tree canopies.
• Accessibility under Direct Sun: User interface design for extreme weather tools requires high-contrast visual cues and voice-assisted guidance for effortless outdoor use.
• Contextual AI Prompts: Passing structured environmental and personal risk data into AI models drastically improves the relevance of safety advice compared to general conversational queries.

What's next for HeatIQ

• Dynamic Solar Shadow Tracking: Incorporating real-time sun angle algorithms to update shade boundaries continuously throughout the day.
• Offline Grid Emergency Caching: Caching cooling map locations locally on-device so the app remains functional during heatwave power outages.
• Municipal API Integration: Partnering with city databases for live capacity and status updates at local shelters and cooling centers.

Built With

• express.js
• geminiapi
• gps
• html5
• leaflet.js
• node.js
• react
• speechsynthesis
• typescript