LittleBigHero

together, becoming little big heroes

Inspiration

The inspiration for LittleBigHero came from observing the growing sense of isolation faced by both younger and older generations. In Munich, as in many other cities, older adults often experience loneliness due to limited social interactions, while younger individuals may struggle with disconnection despite living in a bustling environment. LittleBigHero bridges the generational gap by fostering meaningful connections through acts of kindness. We believe that all it takes is a little spark to ignite new friendships, and our application is that spark.

What it does

Basically it consists of two parts. The "Little Heroes", meaning individuals who really want to offer help and support. And then there are the "Big Heroes", meaning individuals that need help and can request assistance with tasks such as grocery shopping, lawn morning, or companionship. Using geolocation, the app enables users to discover and connect with others nearby, making the process of offering or receiving help accessible. Through our app users can post new quests with a task description, also offering rewards. Other users then can take on available quests, complete them, and gain experience points. The combination of practical functionality and rewarding progression encourages users to stay active, fostering connections and building a stronger sense of community.

How we built it

Frontend: Built with Next.js as our first choice, utilizing a clean and responsive design. Styled using ShadCN and Tailwind CSS for having a modern and user-friendly interface. Backend: FastAPI with PostgreSQL as a database.

Challenges we ran into

Defining the user experience was a critical aspect of our project. The app needed to be highly user-friendly, ensuring accessibility and intuitive use for a broad audience. Additionally, it was essential for the app to engage users while effectively fulfilling its core purpose: connecting people and fostering meaningful interactions through an enjoyable experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We can demonstrate a functional prototype that seamlessly connects our Little and Big Heroes through quests and geolocation. One of our greatest achievements is the cross-generational impact our app can foster. By bridging the gap between generations, we are taking a significant step toward addressing the loneliness and helplessness that many individuals experience today.

What we learned

How to use an empathy-driven design to understand the unique needs of different user groups. Another interesting thing we learned was how to allocate time and the talents of each group member effectively. Regarding the software development we could also improve our skills in geolocation services, API design, and responsive frontend development.

What's next for LittleBigHero

As a next step, we plan to implement a chat system to enable seamless in-app communication between users. Our priority, however, is to enhance the app's accessibility for older users by introducing larger fonts, voice commands, and simplified navigation. Additionally, we aim to scale the app to a broader audience by fostering partnerships with community organizations, further expanding its reach and impact.