Skye Boutall, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Lamar Dodd School of Art, Graphic design, 2nd year undergraduate
UGA SafeConnect improves on the existing UGA SafeApp by adding advanced AI-powered features and enhancing campus safety tools for students walking alone, particularly at night. While the current UGA SafeApp provides basic safety features like emergency alerts and contact integrations, SafeConnect introduces several innovative improvements that make the app more proactive, personalized, and responsive.
Improvements Over the Existing UGA SafeApp: AI-Powered Personalized Safe Routes: The UGA SafeApp offers basic safety alerts but lacks tailored route recommendations. UGA SafeConnect introduces AI-generated walking routes optimized for safety. These routes consider real-time factors such as lighting, foot traffic, and proximity to security stations. By guiding students through well-lit, high-traffic areas, SafeConnect ensures that they take the safest paths, especially during late-night walks.
Real-Time Safety Alerts with Proximity-Based Notifications: While the current UGA SafeApp sends general campus-wide alerts, SafeConnect takes it a step further with location-based safety notifications. Students receive real-time alerts about nearby risks, such as suspicious activity or accidents, which helps them make informed decisions about avoiding danger. This more targeted approach adds a layer of safety that is more responsive to the student’s immediate surroundings.
Walk Buddy Feature for Real-Time Tracking & Support: The UGA SafeApp allows students to share their location with emergency contacts, but SafeConnect enhances this by offering a Walk Buddy feature. This AI-powered assistant tracks the student’s walk in real- time, provides periodic check-ins, and alerts emergency contacts or campus security if the student feels unsafe or fails to respond. This ongoing support throughout a walk is a significant improvement over the static emergency contact system in the current app.
Enhanced SOS Features with Immediate AI Guidance: While the UGA SafeApp includes an SOS button, SafeConnect enhances this feature by providing real-time AI guidance once the SOS is triggered. In addition to alerting campus security and emergency contacts, the app offers context-specific advice (e.g., “Seek shelter inside a nearby building” or “Head to the nearest emergency call box”). This immediate, actionable guidance ensures students know exactly what to do in stressful situations.
Anonymous Safety Reporting: SafeConnect introduces an improved anonymous reporting system, allowing students to report suspicious activity or unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation. While the UGA SafeApp offers a basic reporting feature, SafeConnect’s focus on anonymity encourages more students to speak up and help maintain a safer campus environment.