TextHome

Example Scenario 1
Example Scenario 1
Example Scenario 1
Example Scenario 2
Example Scenario 2

Inspiration

Have you ever been dangerously close to using up your monthly data? Got no data plan at all? Or perhaps driving around in the US and gotten lost? TextHome was inspired by one of the teammates without a data plan traveling in Germany who found herself stranded after a hike with nothing but cell service. Without wifi and data, she was left to fumble in German with locals to orient herself to the nearest train station.

What it does

TextHome is an easy-to-use, reliable text messaging service where users can text a designated phone number and receive directions to a desired location by text. TextHome requires only your cell-service and needs no connection to wifi or usage of any data. Users can text a place of origin and destination and then after a simple confirmation, TextHome will send an SMS with step-by-step instructions on how to get there. Users can set favourite locations -whether it be home, work, or their favourite park. It also supports an "I'm Lost Mode" where it guides the user to access the GPS coordinates from the phone, add it to the service, and provide directions.

How we built it

After realizing the use case for this type of service, the team determined that the flow of the service would be: text to server, server calls to the required google NLP, location, or directions API's, followed by a text to the user with the response from the server. After realizing that Google Maps Directions API can calculate directions between locations using an HTTP request, we researched methods of SMS to HTTP and found Twilio, a cloud based communication service that links the two connections. After establishing the connections between SMS, twillio, and the google APIs, we continued to add functionality and improve the user experience.

Challenges we ran into

Setting up correct environments in order to test the API's and host public servers to allow all members to test together. Compatibility issues across the platforms had to be debugged. We also had challenges with latency and trying to find an appropriate cloud hosting service.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Being able to work together as a team to create a viable product using APIs, frameworks, and services we were unfamiliar with. Integrating many different API's in a way to provide a seamless experience for the user.

What we learned

Workflow and the structuring of integrating multiple API's and services to produce a well-orchestrated solution. Importance of version control of projects, maintenance and organization of the code for the benefit of collaboration.

What's next for TextHome?

TextHome has many areas for improvement - one of the approaches we began to implement is natural language processing. This can be taken a step further to create a even more natural, intuitive experience for the user. It has potential to extend as a offline app that people can access on smartphones - all while the original SMS to direction services are still readily available.