Inspiration

I wanted to build something that blends AI, AR, and real-world adventure - a platform that motivates people to move, explore, and grow through meaningful challenges. I was inspired by how gamified learning and fitness apps spark motivation but often lack depth, creativity, or personalization.

What it does

Sidequest is an AI-powered platform that turns real-world activities - from fitness to creativity and exploration — into personalized quests. Users receive unique challenges generated by AI, complete them in real life, and verify completion through ARKit and computer vision. Completing quests unlocks tokens, progress, and a growing AI-generated avatar that evolves with the user.

How I built it

The iOS app is built with SwiftUI, ARKit, CoreML, and Vision frameworks for camera-based verification. The backend runs on Node.js + Supabase, integrating OpenAI and Gemini APIs for intelligent quest generation. Reward logic uses Solana SDK for token distribution, while the frontend supports extensions to React Native for cross-platform growth.

Challenges I ran into

Building a reliable AR and AI verification system that works in dynamic outdoor environments was tough. I also had to design secure and scalable reward logic for blockchain integration. Tuning the AI to generate meaningful, safe, and location-aware challenges was another major challenge.

Accomplishments that I’m proud of • Built the first working MVP with live AR quest verification and AI quest generation. • Designed the architecture for AI → AR → Reward pipeline. • Created a unique gamified system where an avatar evolves with real-life achievements. • Received great early feedback from testers on motivation and engagement.

What I learned

I learned how to merge multiple complex technologies — AI, AR, and blockchain — into one coherent user experience. It pushed my understanding of how human motivation, design, and intelligent systems intersect in building habit-forming experiences.

What’s next for Sidequest

Next, I plan to launch a public beta, integrate social leaderboards, expand to Android, and introduce real brand partnerships for sponsored quests. The long-term vision is to evolve Sidequest into a global AI companion for physical, creative, and personal growth — bridging digital motivation with real-world action

Built With

  • arkit
  • coreml)
  • fastify
  • gemini-api
  • native
  • next.js
  • node.js
  • openai-api
  • react
  • solana-sdk
  • supabase
  • swift-(ios
  • swiftui
  • vercel
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