GEEKS4GOOD
PROJECTS
DRONE PROJECT
Drones, specifically quadcopters, are the machines of the future. Their ability to carry large loads, while being small and nimble, are ideal for large scale task automation within any industry operating in both urban and rural areas. Initially a passion project in 2016, this drone delivery system aims to provide a reliable network of quadcopters that can store and deliver goods. At first it was decided that mainly medicines would be delivered to marginalized communities mainly in rural areas via an app through which they could order their supplies with a validated prescription. The order would go to a central system that would allocate a drone to an individual delivery. The decentralized schema would allow for the drones to work independently, and everything be managed by a single processing unit, which is an aerial implementation of swarm robotics. The system would work best as the drones are lightweight and use cheap parts, while being able to carry at least 5 kilograms of supplies. This optimizes them to be cheap so that delivery prices can be kept to a minimum and the subsidizing of the medicines can be maximized for the communities that need them most. We have conceptualized the idea of building charging stations for drones in key areas to minimize travelling time and make loading and unloading much easier. We understand that cost will play a huge role in making this project come to life, but with the initial designs we have, we believe this project has the capability to change lives. In the future we hope to carry various types of goods for those in need, such as food, masks for COVID, or even vaccinations. Additionally, we would love to work with hospitals and drivers that act as key providers for their local communities to make delivery quicker and make the process more seamless. Any jobs that seem to be lost, can actually be upscaled to help with this service.
Currently, the delivery application is being developed alongside the backend algorithm that will manage the moving parts in the system including the drone network, assigning drones to customer orders, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil
decodeLabs
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There is a great abundance of people who go through every day of their lives with difficulties in reading and writing. Dyslexia and dysgraphia affect about 5 - 10 % of the world’s population according to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, about 700 million people.
Throughout his school life, Shiv spent time volunteering with the children at Genesis School for Special Education due to the strong relationship between Genesis and his school UWC. He reached out to the school in January 2021, to build a platform dedicated to changing the way teachers and students approached reading. Aman Garg, a student at UWC Dover and a friend of Shiv’s, was also shocked by the lack of science-backed, long-term progress tracking dyslexia solutions that could actually make significant improvements to the lives of dyslexics.
In June, Shiv and Aman co-founded decodeLabs, an app to aid children in their learning and advance their independence by allowing them to work at home while teachers would be able to track progress long-term. Together, alongside Mr. Benjamin Kwek, Principal of Genesis School, who provided insights into the student and teacher requirements for the development of the app, began prototyping.
The full-stack web application employs the Orton-Gillingham method and uses phonemes and multiple-choice quiz games to develop visual and auditory recognition of letter variations such as ‘L’ for Lion or the ‘AI’ in pain. Methods for tracking student progress allow teachers to quantitatively measure success over periods of time specific to the letter combinations. This learning is measured. The app has the potential to aid many students around the world with learning and revising and allowing them to feel more a part of their community while being empowered to be independent.
Currently, the app is being tested rigorously by all parties, including the teachers and students of Genesis. The app is set to be launched in November to supplement their curriculum.
In the near future, Shiv and Aman are looking to launch a programming class at Genesis after realizing how interested the students were in the work being done. Additionally, the team is aiming to partner with the Dyslexic Association of Singapore to deploy the app to a large network of teaching centers to reach more children across Singapore.
More information: https://contactdecodelabs.wixsite.com/decodelabs
Check the app out: https://dyslexia-d9e5d.firebaseapp.com/
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil and Aman Garg
DEMENTIA GAMES APP
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Dementia and Alzheimer’s is an issue that has touched and even broken many lives. With members of a close friend of Shiv's family having been affected by it he wanted to make a change. After reading some of the research and working on a similar concept during a hackathon, this app was created with the aim to prevent early onset of dementia by allowing users to play games that develop cognitive skills and strengthen brain function to prolong mental decay. Backed by science and implemented by companies with similar products, this concept is proven and sustainable. We hope to benefit those with the disease by providing not only a gamified solution with games that are more diverse and enriching, but a support program through the app with extra information and activities that the patients may want to use off the screen. We hope that this solution can change lives and allow those with the disease to maximize their time with loved ones.
Currently, games include Sudoku, a spatial memory game where tiles are flashed and user has to select the correct ones from memory (the grid increases in size at each level), and a reaction time game where the user has to tap the white circle as fast as possible as it randomly zips around the screen.
The images included are from an early prototype.
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil
CHEMISTRY VR MOLECULE MANIPULATION TOOL
As a lover of chemistry, Shiv always had a tugging feeling, a realization of a lack of something tangible. We all imagine chemistry as a very practical subject. As students the chem lab is fondly remembered as a place of true experimentation, a place to explore and maybe once in a while blow something up. But, what about the glaring issue that at the microscopic level, we can never truly see what really takes place. We can never touch and manipulate molecules with exotic shapes and properties at that small a level. This is why we wanted to create a VR experience through which students in schools can truly experience what they are learning. Our tool allows students to see what molecules really look like in 3D, understand how certain reactions take place, play with atoms and molecules to create new materials, and understand electron distribution and the intricate forces working at those scales. We want, at the end of it all, to take students’ understanding to a new level.
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil
SIGN-TO-SPEECH GLOVES
These gloves are specially designed to transfer sign language to speech. Using technology, they will map the movements of the users’ hands and output them in a chosen language through a microphone. This will allow those who are hard of hearing to communicate with anyone, and be able to make themselves heard, no matter where they are, and where they are from. A simple solution for millions of people that will hopefully empower them. Research is currently being carried out to gain knowledge and expertise on how to build this solution.
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil
SNAP CALORIE APP
An app that tracks your calories. By taking a picture of food the app will attempt to calculate the closest value to the number of calories that food has and allow you to track your calories and make goals based on progress. A gamified element will allow you to earn points based on goals you meet and therefore compete with friends and family, making being healthy fun!
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil
WHITEBOARD DRAWING ROBOT
Whiteboards, blackboards, and other variations of these products are key in everyday education around the world. This project aims to build and deploy a robot that will allow one to draw and/or write anything on the board automatically with speed and precision. More of a fun educational tool, this project can assist with drawing and creating precise diagrams and drawings for teaching. It also can work as a productivity to build out calendars and general lists based on those given to the software.
Geek(s) involved: Shiv Govil