Platypus XP

THE INSPO: This wonderful project all originated with a simple goal: to create an app that incorporated AI in a form that felt like a true human assistant with your best interests at heart. A close companion, friend, or even a mentor to the user. As two 17-year-olds in sixth form college, we both struggled with maintaining productivity and staying motivated during our A-levels. So we asked ourselves: what if your study app wasn’t just a tool, but a buddy who genuinely wanted you to succeed?

That’s how Platy was born, inspired after the lovable and unmistakable Perry the Platypus, a pop culture icon known and adored by many. And while the name might not be the most original, the concept behind Platy XP is: it’s not just a study app, it’s a gamified, interactive experience that makes studying feel rewarding, engaging, and even fun even when it feels like the worst thing ever!!!

WHAT IT DOES: Platy XP is designed to boost your productivity by giving you a reason to care, not just for yourself, but for Platy. Upon launching the app, users are introduced to Platy’s backstory: a saga of trials and tribulations that ultimately left him trapped inside your computer. The only way to help him break free? Earn XP by completing study sessions, make life inside a machine for him bearable for him buy buying new items and eventually who knows, once you complete your goal so will he! Your partners striving for the same thing making the experience all the more endearing!!!

This XP you get buy studying can be used to buy skins, and with more time and development, we plan to add accessories, food, clothing, backgrounds and more. The goal is to build an emotional connection between the user and Platy, transforming the grind of studying into a shared journey of growth.

HOW WE BUILT IT: We developed the entire application using Electron.js, which combines JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build cross-platform desktop apps. Originally, we wanted to have a Python backend to run the AI logic, especially since that’s where we had the most experience working with language models in ollama. However, connecting a Python backend to an Electron.js frontend introduced complications, and due to time constraints, we pivoted to building everything within Electron.

CHALLENGES WE FACED: One of our biggest hurdles was integrating an AI chatbot. We explored using Ollama, a framework for running models locally, but that wouldn't make the app easily accessible to others. We then tried Cloudflare Workers combined with Flask to handle backend communication, but that also proved unreliable under time pressure.

Eventually, we experimented with AI APIs such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini, but ran into issues with API keys and authentication, likely due to unresolved bugs in the code. While we couldn’t implement live AI chat functionality within the time limit, it's one of the first things we plan to add in a future update.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE ARE PROUD OF: Despite the obstacles, we’re incredibly proud of what we achieved in just two days. Considering we’ve only been studying Computer Science formally for about a year, building a functional, stylized productivity app from scratch was no small feat. We pushed ourselves beyond our comfort zones, took creative risks, and walked away with a working prototype we’re genuinely excited about.

WHAT WE LEARNED: This project has given us priceless experience in both web and app development, and taught us the real-world challenges of integrating various technologies. Beyond coding, we also learned about the importance of promoting and presenting digital projects, skills we’ll carry forward in our future careers.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR PLATY XP: In the near future, we plan to expand the in-app shop with more items, unlock new customization options, and most importantly, bring Platy’s personality to life through interactive AI conversation. This project has become something we’re passionate about, and we’ll keep working on it long after the hackathon ends.## Inspiration