Scaled back

After realizing my last idea was not feasible because it's impossible to have GPS accuracy within a only a few feet, I've decided to write a new proposal for a scaled back idea with a similar goal.

After reading more about the Google Location API (intro here, article describing some more capability here), a navigation app is still possible. Instead of drawing markers on a video feed, which requires accuracy within a few feet or computer vision work out of the scope of this project, I instead propose an app that alerts the user if they are deviating from the path to their intended destination.

This would be accomplished with the Location API's geofences, which allow an application to know if a user has crossed a threshold. Setting up multiple geofences on either side of a user's walking path and buzzing or playing a sound when the user crosses these fences would help the user stay in the right direction. I haven't played with the API enough to know the exact technical challenges, which will be outlined in a revised formal proposal.

This is especially useful for walking in urban areas at night, when stopping to use your phone for directions can be dangerous. This may also be useful for people with sight disabilities, or even normal users who are listening to music and prefer to hear walking directions through their headphones.