PinPoint

An app that analyses government datasets and historical trends in zoonotic diseases and creates an index for each location to predict where pandemics are likely to originate.

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Inspiration

Everyone's lives have been affected by COVID-19 and similar pandemics in one way or another. As a group of 3 students fascinated by healthcare, we wanted to create an app that can help alert experts of possible pandemic threats to ensure early detection, preventing what began the COVID-19 pandemic in the first place. Since self-reporting apps like those released by the Canadian government found little success, we decided to collect data from various streams to pinpoint potential pandemic regions.

What it does

PinPoint operates on two sides: On one side is the public view, where individuals can access statistics and risk indications for their region of choice by using our virtual assistant; the other side directs government officials and experts to a projection map displaying the risk and location of any potential viral outbreaks, as well as information surrounding it. The design would allow experts in specific fields to contact one another and discuss the potential threat on a monthly basis.

How we built it

We designed the app's UI interface within Figma and prototyped the virtual assistant on Voiceflow, using Javascript as supplemental code. Voiceflow sends GET requests to the OpenCovid API to retrieve current statistics with the intention to send requests for data relating to whichever outbreaks are ongoing in the future (e.g. new HIV outbreak).

Challenges we ran into

None of us are particularly experienced with UI design, so we spent a significant portion of time learning tools like Figma. Additionally, it was our first time using Voiceflow, so there we many issues in getting it up and running, especially with regard to API calls.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite health hacks being held virtually and it being our first time working together, we managed to ensure proper communication via Discord and finished designing our app with an extra demo on the side.

What we learned

We all took away something different from this experience. Some of us worked on researching and brainstorming to iteratively design our project. Some of us used platforms like Voiceflow or Figma for the first time. Most importantly, we learned about the significance of organization, coordination, and teamwork. In addition, we broadened our horizons on the impact of pandemics and how to prevent them, in turn protecting our future and the futures of those around us.

What's next for PinPoint

We hope to fully implement the rest of our design and contact experts who could help monitor potential threats.

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