The Genesis of MySafe
When a group of computer science students—Youssef, Bogdan, Lucas, and Fadi—came together at a Canadian hackathon organized by Tailed, they were driven by a shared concern: personal and community safety. The team first met at CUP, a convention for technology enthusiasts. Youssef and Bogdan, classmates at CEGEP, connected with Lucas and Fadi during the event. Recognizing their complementary skills and shared interests, the four decided to collaborate at the hackathon.
Inspiration for the Project
The idea for MySafe was born from a common concern: the fear of walking in urban areas, especially at night, for themselves or their loved ones. The team envisioned a solution inspired by the simplicity and utility of apps like Waze. They aimed to create a platform where users could report incidents, view global safety data, and receive real-time updates to plan safer journeys.
What MySafe Does
MySafe empowers users with a real-time incident map, populated with community-contributed data. Users can report incidents or concerns, helping others navigate their surroundings safely. The platform also features an AI-powered chatbot, offering safety forecasts for specific areas to provide actionable insights on the go.
Building MySafe with Lovable
Lovable Project: MySafe (GitHub Repo)
The team utilized Lovable’s robust tech stack— React, Vite, Tailwind, ShadCN, and Supabase. Despite being proficient in computer science, they were amazed by how quickly they could prototype and iterate using Lovable’s intuitive AI-powered platform.
Youssef led the prompt engineering, ensuring the app stayed true to their vision, while Bogdan refined the user interface. Lucas and Fadi focused on backend development and feature implementation. Lovable’s seamless integration of frameworks and tools allowed the team to concentrate on functionality, completing a working prototype within the hackathon’s tight timeframe.
Overcoming Challenges
While the development process was accelerated by Lovable, the team faced some challenges. Early on, they encountered issues with Lovable credits, but their resourcefulness led them to an alternative solution that enabled uninterrupted progress.
Integrating Gemini, an AI tool for the chatbot, also presented difficulties. Initially, it struggled to grasp context, but through careful prompt engineering and adjustments to their logic, the team fine-tuned the integration to achieve the desired level of accuracy and responsiveness.
The team described Lovable as transformative. What could have taken weeks to code manually was accomplished in hours. The platform’s seamless integration of frameworks and tools made the process efficient and enjoyable. Lovable not only accelerated development but also enabled the team to focus on the app’s functionality and user experience.
Achievements and Lessons Learned
The team was thrilled to see their idea take shape within the 20-hour hackathon window. MySafe went from concept to functional prototype in record time, demonstrating the potential of collaboration and the power of Lovable.
In the process, the team gained new technical skills, such as integrating Supabase, managing full-stack authentication, and implementing advanced AI features. These experiences expanded their understanding of modern development tools and practices.
What's Next for MySafe?
With the foundation built, the team plans to expand MySafe into a globally recognized platform. They aim to introduce features like real-time alerts, enhanced route recommendations, and support for broader geographic coverage. Lovable will remain a key partner as they continue refining and scaling their app.
A Community-Driven Success
MySafe is more than just a hackathon project—it’s a solution to a real-world problem that resonates with communities worldwide. By leveraging Lovable’s cutting-edge capabilities, the team has created an app that has the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
This achievement highlights not only the team’s technical expertise but also their dedication to solving challenges that matter. Their success at the hackathon stands as a testament to the transformative power of Lovable and the limitless possibilities of innovation driven by purpose and passion.
