Mappika – Enhancing Resource Accessibility

Inspiration

Access to essential resources like food, water, and public spaces is a fundamental right, yet millions of people struggle to find them efficiently. Inspired by the need for equitable access to urban and natural resources, we wanted to create a tool that makes discovering these locations easier.

We recognized that while Google Maps provides general navigation, it lacks an efficient way to locate food banks, public water fountains, and parks—resources that are crucial for underserved communities. To solve this, we build Mappika, a web application that empowers users to find these essential places effortlessly.

What We Learned

Throughout this hackathon, we gained hands-on experience with:

Google Maps API – Implementing map integrations and custom location markers.
Django & JavaScript – Building a full-stack web application.
OpenAI API – Using AI to provide personalized location recommendations based on user needs.
API Integration & Optimization – Managing multiple external APIs (Google Maps, Uber, and OpenAI) efficiently.
Team Collaboration – Overcoming challenges and balancing responsibilities to deliver a functional product.

How We Built It

We developed Mappika using the following technologies:

Backend: Django (Python) for handling data and API requests.
Frontend: JavaScript and HTML/CSS for the user interface.
Google Maps API: Displaying interactive maps and plotting essential resources.
Uber API: Enabling users to book rides to their selected locations.
OpenAI API: Providing AI-generated recommendations for users' next stops.

Workflow

User inputs their location or enables geolocation.
Google Maps API retrieves nearby food banks, parks, and water fountains.
User selects a resource, with options to book an Uber or navigate via Google Maps.
AI-powered recommendations suggest the next best location based on user activity.

Challenges We Faced

🔹 API Rate Limits & Data Accuracy

Integrating multiple APIs came with rate limitations, requiring us to optimize API calls. Additionally, ensuring the accuracy of displayed locations was a challenge, as some datasets lacked detailed categorization.

🔹 Time Constraints

Developing a functional and polished prototype within a limited time required rapid problem-solving and effective teamwork.

🔹 Combining Multiple Services Seamlessly

Ensuring smooth interaction between Google Maps, Uber, and OpenAI APIs was complex, as each had different request formats and constraints. We had to carefully design our backend to handle these efficiently.

The Future of Mappika

We believe Mappika has the potential to expand and improve accessibility worldwide. Future improvements include:
✅ Expanding resource categories – Adding public restrooms, homeless shelters, and free Wi-Fi locations.
✅ User-contributed data – Allowing users to submit and verify locations for better accuracy.
✅ Mobile App Development – Building an iOS/Android version for greater accessibility.

Conclusion

Participating in AccessHack was an incredible experience that pushed us to think critically about accessibility and real-world problem-solving. Mappika is just the beginning of what we envision—a smarter, AI-driven platform that empowers individuals by making essential resources easier to find.