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Logo
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Inspiration
This was actually something I needed myself as I have been going through a tough time finding a new job after being laid off. I needed someone to talk to after being in software for decades and not receiving any responses to my resumes.
What it does
Some moments don’t need a lesson or a list of solutions. You just need to talk. Vela is an AI companion you can talk with by voice or text when you feel anxious, panicked, stressed, low, or simply need to let something out. Available at any hour, Vela gives you a calm space to talk without appointments, pressure, or judgment. Tell Vela what you’re feeling, even when you don’t know how to explain it yet. Vela listens first and responds with gentle questions and practical ways to help you work through the moment.
How we built it
We used Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) to quickly deliver the app on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store quickly. We used RAG, a PostgreSQL database on DigitalOcean with a React, Next.js backend utilizing the OpenAI API for fast, accurate responses.
Challenges we ran into
Building out the RAG backend to ensure the app didn't give advice it's not equipped to handle and limits giving inappropriate responses to dangerous requests.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
I was proud to be able to deliver this helpful app in multiple languages.
What we learned
Build it and they won't come. Even a little advertising goes a long way to making an app we believe in something that others are willing to download once they know it exists!
What's next for Vela
We plan to handoff more complex help to a community of health professionals that can provide even more targeted help to users who go beyond what the app can do.
Built With
- kotlin
- next.js
- openai
- postgresql
- python
- rag
- typescript
