Swift-Step

Swift Step is a mixed reality experience where outdoor running paths become an interactive game. From collecting coins to training against their best times, there’s a motivational feature for everyone

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Inspiration

Gamification has been proven to increase engagement in a variety of settings, whether it be in the workplace or in a marketing campaign. When brainstorming project ideas, our team found resonance in wanting to hit our fitness goals and to have more fun while we did. Running cross country, or any outdoor distance running, is frequently described as a mentally challenging task by both current and former runners. In order to help people overcome these hurdles, we decided to apply the benefits of gamification to the outdoor running space, helping runners overcome the mental barriers that keep them from performing their best, and helping non runners feel more motivated about their workouts.

What it does

Our application revolutionizes the running experience by combining several innovative features. It counts coins during your run, adding a fun and rewarding element to each workout. Additionally, a motivational AI coach provides personalized encouragement to keep you moving, while a competitive racing mode challenges you to beat your personal best records. This blend of gamification and performance tracking makes every run both engaging and goal-driven.

How we built it

We built the platform using a robust and modern tech stack. MongoDB was chosen as our database to securely manage user authentication and data input, ensuring that all user data is stored reliably. The frontend of the website is crafted in React, providing a smooth, responsive user interface. To bring an exciting augmented reality twist to running, we integrated the Niantic WebXR framework by 8 Wall, which gamifies the experience. Finally, the Gemini API was incorporated to power our AI coach, delivering real-time, personalized motivational feedback to users.

Challenges we ran into

Throughout development, we faced several challenges that pushed our boundaries. One of the primary hurdles was figuring out how to effectively utilize the Niantic WebXR framework; integrating AR elements into our running app required a deep dive into new technologies and creative problem-solving. Additionally, some team members had to quickly learn TypeScript, which presented its own learning curve. Despite these obstacles, the challenges ultimately contributed to our growth as a team and enriched our technical expertise.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

One of the standout features we are particularly proud of is the inclusion of a game mode in which a monster chases the runner. This unique addition not only injects excitement and urgency into the workout but also motivates users to push harder, driven by the playful fear of being caught. It’s a creative twist that enhances the overall experience, making fitness fun and challenging at the same time.

What we learned

This project has been an incredible learning journey for all of us. We not only learned TypeScript, which has significantly improved our development practices and code quality, but also gained valuable experience with Niantic’s WebXR framework, deepening our understanding of augmented reality technologies. Moreover, working together on this project underscored the importance of teamwork and effective communication, proving that collaboration is key to overcoming technical challenges and achieving success.

What's next for Swift-Step

In the future we plan to expand into AI generated storylines that you can progress through as you run, further transforming the running experience. Swift Step will also be compatible with Meta Quest 3 once Niantic finalizes their support for it. We are also planning on expanding into other forms of outdoor exercise such as cycling.

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