SafeCircle

Inspiration

Caring for a loved one with cognitive or mental disability can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. Our team was inspired by the unseen struggle caregivers face every day — juggling schedules, emotions, and safety concerns. We built Safe Circle, an AI-powered companion that helps caregivers manage routines, stay emotionally connected, and provide safer, more personalized care.

What it does

Our app uses AI and GPS tracking to help caregivers monitor loved ones with dementia, ensuring they stay within a designated “safe circle” approved by the caretaker. If the individual wanders outside this area, the app immediately alerts the caregiver and activates an AI voice assistant to calmly reassure and guide the user. It encourages them to contact their loved one, helping prevent dangerous situations while maintaining dignity and peace of mind for both parties.

How we built it

We built the app using React Native to create a cross-platform mobile experience, integrating the Google Maps API for GPS tracking and geofencing to monitor loved ones within a designated safe circle. To keep updates real-time, we are considering WebSockets, while Firebase handles push notifications to both caregivers and users. The AI voice assistant is powered by Eleven Labs, providing calming guidance and encouraging the user to contact their loved one if they leave the safe circle.

Challenges we ran into

We initially built an iOS app, but iOS’s background geolocation and notification restrictions limited our ability to provide real-time AI interactions. Next, we tried an Android app using Expo Go, which allowed better geolocation, but we still couldn’t support live AI conversations effectively. Ultimately, we pivoted to a Progressive Web App (PWA), which gave us consistent GPS tracking, push notifications, and the ability to run the AI voice assistant in near real-time.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of creating an app that genuinely supports caregivers in their daily lives. SafeCircle successfully combines AI and geofencing to provide peace of mind, reduces stress for both caregivers and users, and offers a user-friendly interface that is accessible for all ages. Our AI voice assistant was particularly rewarding to implement, as it can help de-escalate anxiety in real situations.

What we learned

We learned the importance of empathy-driven design—technology must adapt to human behavior, not the other way around. We also gained experience integrating multiple technologies (React Native, Google Maps API, and AI voice synthesis) into a cohesive solution. Testing and iterating with real-world scenarios emphasized the importance of balancing technical precision with user trust and comfort.

What's next for SafeCircle

Next, we plan to enhance AI capabilities to provide personalized care recommendations and reminders based on daily routines. We are exploring predictive analytics to identify potential wandering risks before they happen. Additionally, we aim to expand platform support, improve accessibility features, and create a community feature for caregivers to share insights and support.