TravelMate Itineraries

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  Search Page

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  Landing Page

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  Itinerary Page

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  Dark Mode

Inspiration

We came up with this project after dealing with the hassle of exploring new places overseas. It was a pain trying to find nearby activities and places with good reviews simultaneously, especially without spending ages on Google. So, we wanted to create something low-key, like TravelMate, to suggest, plan, and organize itineraries based on your available time and interests in different locations. Just our way of making the travel experience a bit less of a headache.

What it does

Our app allows users to search for their favorite and also some underrated local gems, being able to filter on the basis of categories of activities, as well as indicate the time available to them that they're free for, so that itineraries we generate can work around them. In addition, our algorithm also takes into account other important factors like operating hours of various businesses and attractions, the amount of time needed to fully experience the location, as well as the time of day for the best experience. We then present this plan to users in a clear and simple visual way, allowing them to delete, and readd new locations to edit their scheduled. As a bonus, we've also added dark mode, since, of course.

How we built it

We built our app almost entirely using Dart and Flutter for the main frontend, utilizing local database storage and other packages such as Providers and ChangeNotifiers to store itinerary decisions. We also utilized Github for source control and used Miro to sketch out our initial prototype designs prior to the hackathon.

Challenges we ran into

Navigating a tight schedule imposed constraints on UI refinement and forced the team to prioritize essential features over integrating additional ones, such as the Maps API.

Persistent technical issues with the Flutter framework for a team member significantly impeded the development timeline, underscoring the importance of addressing platform-specific challenges.

Debugging emerged as a critical focus, demanding thorough error resolution to maintain code quality. Additionally, team members faced the task of reacquainting themselves with concepts and languages learned months ago, posing a learning curve that contributed to project delays.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

In the intensive 24-hour hackathon, our team demonstrated remarkable agility and innovation. Despite the time constraints, we successfully developed a fully functional Flutter app from ideation to implementation. Swift problem-solving skills were showcased as we addressed unforeseen challenges in real-time, highlighting our ability to adapt and overcome obstacles. The collaborative nature of our team fostered effective communication and synergy, contributing to the app's rapid development. This hackathon not only underscored our technical proficiency in Flutter but also emphasized our teamwork and resilience in a fast-paced environment.

What we learned

Through the process of building our Flutter app, we honed our technical skills in Flutter, gaining a deeper understanding of widgets, state management, and asynchronous programming in Dart. Challenges became learning opportunities as we navigated debugging and troubleshooting, enhancing our problem-solving skills within the Flutter framework. Collaborating with our team, we embraced version control tools like Git and recognized the significance of teamwork. Designing the app's UI/UX involved thoughtful consideration and exploration of Flutter packages for enhanced elements. Testing and debugging procedures ensured the app's reliability. Looking forward, we see areas for improvement and envision further learning to expand the app's functionality. This experience not only solidified our Flutter expertise but also underscored the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in app development.

What's next for TravelMate Itineraries

TravelMate is evolving organically! We're looking to be able to recommend the most convenient and highly rated places, by scraping reviews from Google Maps API, so users are exposed to a wider, yet familiar range of choices. We plan to involve ChatGPT too, creating personalized itineraries that match user's interests wherever they wander.

Built With

• dart
• flutter
• git
• github