Inspiration

The escalating impact of climate change and the significant contribution of transportation emissions inspired us to develop NavGreen. Seeing that existing navigation tools focus primarily on speed or traffic, we identified a gap for an app that motivates drivers to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing eco-friendly routes. We wanted to create a solution that combines environmental impact measurement with gamification to inspire sustained behavior change.

What it Does

NavGreen is a mobile app that helps drivers select the most environmentally efficient routes. It compares your typical driving path with an optimized, greener alternative using live routing data and calculates CO₂ emissions saved based on distance and vehicle type. Users earn points for every kilogram of CO₂ saved, fostering motivation through friendly competition via leaderboards and badges.

How We Built It

We built NavGreen using Typescript and React Native (Expo Go) for a responsive cross-platform experience. The Mapbox API powers real-time route calculations and geocoding, while Firebase handles authentication, serverless backend processes, and data storage with Firestore. Our CO₂ calculator uses a straightforward formula adjusted for vehicle types to ensure simplicity and accuracy. We integrated gamification by developing dynamic leaderboards and points systems that track and reward user impact.

Challenges We Ran Into

Accurately differentiating between fastest and most fuel-efficient routes using Mapbox’s routing options was complex. We balanced the need for a precise emissions model with user-friendly simplicity. Coordinating development across frontend, backend, and gamification features in just 24 hours required intense collaboration and rapid iteration. Ensuring smooth real-time updates to leaderboards and managing API rate limits were additional technical hurdles.

Accomplishments That We're Proud Of

We shipped a fully functional, scalable MVP featuring route comparison, CO₂ impact calculation, real-time gamification, and a clean, user-friendly interface—all within 24 hours. The application integrates modern tools effectively and is deployed for real-world testing. Our cross-disciplinary team worked seamlessly to deliver a polished product that highlights sustainability and user engagement.

What We Learned

This project strengthened our skills in modern full-stack development, geospatial APIs, serverless architecture, and gamification design. We experienced firsthand the importance of focused scope and agile teamwork in delivering impactful solutions quickly. Additionally, we deepened our understanding of environmental impact metrics and how technology can drive meaningful behavior change.

What's Next for ZPZX - The CodeFather - NavGreen

Future developments include real-time GPS route tracking, AI-powered personalized route suggestions, native iOS and Android apps, expanded vehicle type profiles, and partnerships with municipal and commercial fleet operators. We aim to scale NavGreen nationally and globally, making sustainable driving accessible and habitual for millions.

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