NeoEden

NeoEden is an off grid living AI survival app. It maps resources, analyzes images with Gemini, and delivers real time intel. Built to help users stay informed, share knowledge, and rebuild community.

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🧠 Inspiration

When we saw the hackathon theme, we imagined a future where access to survival-critical information could mean life or death.

What if your phone became the only map, warning system, and guide you had?

That question sparked NeoEden — a mobile survival companion built for post-apocalyptic scenarios. It helps communities track vital resources, avoid danger zones, and collaborate to stay alive using real-time alerts, AI, and map-based reporting.

💡 What It Does

NeoEden gives users the tools to survive and stay informed in dangerous apocalyptic environments:

  • 🗺️ Interactive Survival Map
    Access a live map with markers locating clean water, radiation zones, and farmland zones

  • 📸 AI-Enhanced Image Capture
    Take photos and use AI to identify or classify survival info

  • 🔔 Location-Based News Feed
    Stay updated on dangers, discoveries, and survivor activity nearby

  • 🧠 Gemini AI Chatbot
    Ask AI questions based on photos, descriptions, or locations

  • 🌐 Offline-First Design
    Designed for post-grid scenarios where connectivity is rare

🛠️ How We Built It

Frontend

  • React Native with Expo
  • React Navigation (stack + tab navigation)
  • Expo Go and iOS simulator for testing and debugging
  • Modular screen architecture: Login, Register, News, Map, Chat, Camera, Settings

Backend

  • Node.js + Express.js server
  • MongoDB with Mongoose for resource and user data
  • React Native Maps for terrain visualization
  • Gemini API by Google for chatbot and photo recognition logic

🚧 Challenges We Ran Into

  • Getting AI and image upload flow to work smoothly on Expo
  • Designing an intuitive navigation system with a custom camera modal
  • Syncing React Native Maps with our dynamic data and location tracking

🏆 Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

  • Built a full-stack mobile app from scratch in less than 36 hours
  • Seamlessly integrated AI image analysis using Gemini
  • Designed a visually cohesive and themed UX
  • Created a unique post-apocalyptic narrative with functionality

📚 What We Learned

  • How to work with Expo + React Native custom navigation
  • Best practices for modals, camera access, and image base64 handling
  • Using AI to enhance utility rather than just for chat

🚀 What's Next for NeoEden

  • Add offline data caching for remote survival use
  • Introduce mesh networking for peer-to-peer data sync
  • Expand resource layers to include food, shelters, solar zones
  • Enable user upvoting/comments on news alerts

🔧 Feature Summary

🗺️ Resource & Hazard Mapping

  • Visualize clean water, radiation zones, farmland
  • Dynamic icons and zoom-based exploration
  • User location shown with smooth animation

🤖 Gemini AI Photo Scanner

  • Snap or upload a photo
  • Ask AI questions like “is this edible?”
  • Real-time Gemini response shown in chat

📢 Community-Powered News

  • Submit reports and see nearby updates
  • AI-generated suggestions on your news
  • Future: upvote system and urgency filter

⚙️ Tech Stack

Frontend

  • React Native (Expo)
  • React Navigation
  • Expo Go / Xcode Simulator

Backend

  • Node.js
  • Express.js
  • MongoDB + Mongoose
  • React Native Maps
  • Gemini API
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