EchoMap is a vibration-only navigation app built in Flutter to empower blind and low-vision users to travel independently and confidently. By translating turn-by-turn directions into distinct haptic cues, EchoMap keeps you on the right path—no sight required.
🌟 Open Source: EchoMap is open source and available on GitHub! We welcome contributions from developers, accessibility experts, and users.
📱 Repository: https://github.com/Milad9A/Echo-Map
EchoMap is currently in active development. The core functionality includes:
- ✅ Vibration pattern system for navigation feedback
- ✅ Location tracking and route deviation detection
- ✅ Turn detection and advance notification
- ✅ Google Maps integration for routing
- ✅ Testing utilities for vibration patterns
EchoMap uses carefully designed haptic patterns to communicate navigation information:
| Pattern | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| onRoute | Short, consistent taps | Confirms you're following the correct path |
| approachingTurn | Ascending intensity pattern | Warns about an upcoming turn |
| leftTurn | Strong-weak-weak pattern | Indicates a left turn |
| rightTurn | Weak-weak-strong pattern | Indicates a right turn |
| uTurn | Double-strong pulses | Signals to make a U-turn |
| wrongDirection | Strong, attention-grabbing pattern | Alerts when you're off route |
| destinationReached | Celebratory pattern | Confirms arrival at destination |
| crossingStreet | Double-tap pattern with pause | Warns about street crossings |
| hazardWarning | Urgent, repeating pattern | Alerts about potential hazards |
| recalculating | Rapid, staccato vibrations | Indicates route recalculation |
This project uses environment variables to manage API keys and other sensitive information.
-
Create a copy of the
.env.examplefile and name it.env:cp .env.example .env -
Edit the
.envfile and add your API keys:GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_google_maps_api_key_here -
The
.envfile is gitignored, so your sensitive information won't be committed to version control.
After setting up your environment variables:
flutter pub get
flutter run- Google Maps API with the following APIs enabled:
- Maps SDK for Android
- Maps SDK for iOS
- Directions API
- Places API
EchoMap uses distinct vibration patterns to guide users along a route without requiring visual feedback. The app leverages:
- Haptic feedback to communicate navigation instructions
- GPS location services to track user position
- Mapping services to determine routes and navigation
- Accessible UI design to ensure compatibility with screen readers
- Turn detection service to predict and notify about upcoming turns
- Vibration-based turn-by-turn navigation with distinct patterns for different instructions
- Advanced turn detection to provide timely notifications before turns
- Route deviation detection to alert when off course
- Accessible user interface optimized for screen readers
- Safety features for street crossings and hazards
- Vibration pattern testing tool to fine-tune haptic feedback
- Flutter SDK (3.8.0 or higher)
- Android Studio / VS Code with Flutter extensions
- iOS simulator / Android emulator or physical device
- Google Maps API key
- Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/echo_map.git
- Install dependencies
flutter pub get
-
Set up environment variables as described above
-
Run the app
flutter run
EchoMap uses Firebase App Distribution for beta testing and app distribution across both iOS and Android platforms.
For beta testing across both iOS and Android platforms:
# First time setup
chmod +x scripts/deploy_firebase.sh
# Deploy both platforms
./scripts/deploy_firebase.sh- 📲 Android: https://console.firebase.google.com/project/echo-map-49a3f/appdistribution/app/android:com.milad9a.echo_map
- 🍎 iOS: https://console.firebase.google.com/project/echo-map-49a3f/appdistribution/app/ios:com.milad9a.echoMap
npm install -g firebase-tools
firebase login
firebase use echo-map-49a3fFor detailed deployment instructions, see docs/firebase-app-distribution.md.
EchoMap includes Firebase Analytics to track user interactions and app performance for accessibility improvements.
- Screen Navigation: Track which screens users visit most frequently
- Navigation Usage: Monitor route calculations and navigation sessions
- Vibration Patterns: Understand which haptic feedback patterns are most effective
- Accessibility Features: Track usage of accessibility features
- Settings Changes: Monitor which settings users modify most often
- Performance Metrics: Track app performance for optimization
- Analytics are anonymous and help improve accessibility features
- No personal location data is stored in analytics
- Users can disable analytics in the Firebase Console if needed
- 📚 Documentation:
docs/- Setup guides, deployment instructions, and testing materials - 🚀 Scripts:
scripts/- Automated deployment and build scripts - 📱 TestFlight Setup:
docs/testflight-setup-guide.md - 🔥 Firebase Distribution:
docs/firebase-app-distribution.md
EchoMap includes dedicated testing screens to validate core functionality:
- Vibration Test Screen: Test and compare different haptic patterns
- Location Test Screen: Verify GPS tracking and accuracy
- Map Screen: Test route calculation and visualization
EchoMap is an open source project! We welcome contributions from developers, accessibility experts, and users who want to help improve navigation for blind and low-vision users.
- Report bugs or request features via GitHub Issues
- Submit pull requests with improvements or fixes
- Test the app and provide feedback on accessibility features
- Contribute documentation to help other developers
- Share your experience to help improve the user experience
- Fork the repository on GitHub
- Clone your fork locally
- Follow the installation instructions above
- Create a new branch for your feature or bugfix
- Make your changes and test thoroughly
- Submit a pull request with a clear description
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.