It was the early 2000s, and I was sitting in front of a desktop computer with 512 MB of RAM, running Windows 95. The boxy monitor hummed softly, and the familiar Windows startup sound filled the room. I had Solitaire open, clicking away on the cards, while music played in the background on Winamp, complete with custom skins to match my mood. The machine, with its CRT monitor and dial-up internet, was slow by today’s standards, but it felt like magic back then.

Suddenly, a thought popped into my head: What if this computer could read my mood, just by looking at me, and automatically play music that matched how I felt?

Fast forward to 2024, and that wild idea from my childhood has finally become a reality not in exact manner but something equally exciting.

That’s what Going Visible is all about—a web app that can actually read a person's mood through facial recognition and suggest ways to improve it. All thanks to the advancements in Artificial Intelligence, particularly the power of the Google Gemini API, which has made this vision a reality.

This app isn’t just a fun project; it’s a submission for the prestigious Gemini API Developer Competition—a global challenge to leverage the powerful Google Gemini API for real-world solutions.

The competition encourages developers to harness the capabilities of the Gemini AI API to solve problems in new and innovative ways, and "Going Visible" does exactly that. By integrating AI-driven mood recognition, the app aims to address a critical issue faced by people with invisible illnesses.

Vote for "Going Visible"!

Before we dive into the details of Going Visible and how it aims to make a difference in the lives of those with invisible illnesses, we’d love your support in the Gemini API Developer Competition.

If you believe in our mission and the impact of what we've built, please consider voting for our submission. Your vote not only supports our project but also helps raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with invisible illnesses.

You can cast your vote here. Every vote counts and we truly appreciate your support.

What is Going Visible?

Going Visible is a mood-tracking and support app designed for individuals with invisible illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It leverages the Google Gemini API to provide personalised insights and support based on users' emotional data.

The Problem

Invisible illnesses like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain affect millions worldwide. Unlike visible conditions, these illnesses aren’t immediately apparent to others, making them challenging to understand and empathise with.

Because the symptoms are not clearly visible, people living with these conditions often struggle to communicate their emotional states effectively. They may feel clueless about how to express their struggles to loved ones, family, and friends, which ultimately leads to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding.

This communication barrier adds to their mental health challenges, apart from the already tough battle they face.

The Solution

That’s where 'Going Visible' comes in. Our platform uses cutting-edge technology to make mood tracking seamless and insightful. By integrating Google’s Gemini AI, which is an AI powerhouse, we offer a unique solution that not only tracks mood through text and facial recognition but also provides personalised insights and support.

With Gemini AI, we analyse facial expressions and mood inputs to offer tailored suggestions and recommendations to improve emotional well-being. This makes it easier for individuals to understand their moods and find effective ways to manage them.

How Does the Website Work?

Let’s see the website in action. You can access the website at https://goingvisible.com and login using your Google account.

The Dashboard

Once you log in, you will see a dashboard page that allows you to log your mood and shows a brief overview of your mood log records. The dashboard is the central hub where you can log new moods, view your emotional patterns over time and see your rewards and badges.

Logging Your Mood

On the dashboard, you have the option to log your mood by either typing in your feelings or uploading a selfie. The app uses advanced facial recognition technology to analyse your expression and assess your mood accurately.

Insights and Suggestions

After logging your mood, the app provides insights into your emotional patterns and offers personalized suggestions powered by the Gemini AI. These suggestions are crafted to help you manage your mood and improve your overall mental health.

Mood History and Trends

You can also access your past mood records and check out the trend in your mood records with the help of the graphs and visualisation available on Moods page. You can share this with your doctor or therapist which will help to better analyse your medical condition and provide you best possible health care and support.

Notifications to Loved Ones

Personally, this is my favourite feature where if you add your family members and loved ones in your account, a gentle alert to these trusted contacts will be sent when you’re experiencing a particularly challenging day. These notifications include AI-generated suggestions on how your loved ones can offer support and help you cheer up when you are feeling low. You can check out this feature under Family section of the web app.

The Way Forward

Going Visible is more than just a mood tracker; it's a step toward making invisible struggles visible and understood. By fostering better communication and understanding, we aim to create a supportive community around individuals with invisible illnesses.

Fast forward to today, that childhood dream of having a computer understand my mood and play the perfect song might not be here just yet, but with Going Visible, we’re bringing a piece of that vision to life. While we’re not adding a mood-based music player to our app just yet, who knows? Maybe one day we'll find a way to combine mood tracking with a personalized playlist!

We believe in continuous improvement and are committed to enhancing our platform to better serve our users. We welcome feedback and suggestions from the community to help us make Going Visible even better.

If you believe in this mission and appreciate what I've built, it would be incredibly grateful for your support in the Gemini API Developer Competition. You can vote for my submission here https://ai.google.dev/competition/projects/going-visible

Join us on this journey to empower people with invisible illnesses to be truly visible and understood. If you have any questions or want to share feedback, feel free to reach out to us at shashanksrajak@gmail.com. Together, we can make a difference!

Important Links

• Website - https://www.goingvisible.com

• Vote for Going Visible - https://ai.google.dev/competition/projects/going-visible

• Gemini API Developer Competition - https://ai.google.dev/competition

• Youtube Presentation - https://youtu.be/FRc86neAe0M