Over the years, I’ve developed numerous web and mobile applications—some to solve personal problems, others simply to experiment with new technologies. While some of these projects lasted only a few weeks, others lived on for years. With WalkWithMi, I’m taking a different approach: applying everything I’ve learned in a structured, purposeful way. And I’ll be documenting that journey here on this blog.
Purpose of the Application
WalkWithMi is a mobile travel companion designed to help users explore unfamiliar cities without getting lost, wasting time, or missing out on cultural landmarks. The app is built for tourists and travelers who want to:
- Discover their surroundings using real-time GPS data
- Access information about historical and cultural sites in their native language
- Plan visits and activities based on their interests
- Use the app even when offline—ideal for international travel
- Travel independently and confidently, without the need for a physical guide
In short: WalkWithMi is your personal digital guide. It presents cultural insights in your own language, shows you where to go, and personalizes the journey to your preferences.
Core Functionality
WalkWithMi detects nearby historical and cultural points of interest based on the user’s location. It provides multilingual textual and audio information, generates personalized walking routes, and works offline—acting as a pocket-sized digital guide.
Problems It Solves
- Difficulty finding local guides in foreign cities
- Language barriers when accessing cultural or historical information
- Inefficient sightseeing due to limited time and poor planning
- Risk of missing key landmarks
- Inability to navigate or access information in offline environments
Target Users
- Independent travelers exploring domestic or international destinations
- Solo explorers
- Business travelers with limited time
- Tourists struggling with language differences
- Culture, history, and architecture enthusiasts
Why Would People Use This App?
- To explore new places without needing a guide
- To access rich cultural content in their own language, including audio
- To create personalized itineraries
- To travel offline without internet dependency
- To make the most of their limited time during trips
What Is the Value Beyond a Mobile Website?
- Real-time location awareness via GPS
- Full offline functionality
- Push notifications for in-the-moment guidance
- Persistent user preferences and history
- Rich native features like routing, favoriting, and multimedia integration
Business Goals Supported
- Increase user engagement per session
- Generate revenue through tourism partnerships and local business sponsorships
- Build a loyal user base
- Expand brand visibility internationally
- Boost SEO/ASO through sustained content production
Beneficiaries of the App
- Casual and frequent travelers
- Tourists with limited time
- Independent explorers
- Users who need language assistance
- Anyone passionate about history, culture, and architecture
Audience Needs and Desires
- To deeply understand and connect with local culture
- To maximize experiences in limited timeframes
- To maintain autonomy while still receiving useful direction
- To access trustworthy information without hiring a guide
- To explore safely and with purpose
MVP Feature Prioritization
Must Have (Critical for Launch)
To deliver on the core value proposition, the MVP will include:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Context-aware identification of nearby points of interest (POIs)
- Multilingual text and audio content for cultural and historical sites
- Offline access to content and features
- Ability to save favorite places and create personal lists
Should Have (Important for UX, but Not Critical at Launch)
Features that significantly improve user experience but are not required in the first version:
- Personalized route generation based on user interests, time, and walking distance
- Route optimization for efficient exploration
- Dining and refreshment recommendations along the route
- AI-assisted content and route suggestions
- Daily/hourly planners for POIs
- Auto-translation to provide local language content
- Nearby events and activity discovery
- Rich media for POIs including photos, videos, and virtual tours
Could Have (Nice to Include Later)
Value-added features that enhance engagement but are not necessary early on:
- Community mode to view other users’ routes and feedback
- Trip history and personal statistics
- Booking links for events or entry tickets
- Trivia, quizzes, or gamified cultural learning
- Social media integration for trip sharing
Won’t Have (Out of Scope for Now)
These features are excluded from the MVP for strategic or resource-related reasons:
- Full vehicle navigation beyond Google Maps integration
- Live guide chat or video calling
- Augmented reality navigation (reserved for future phases)
- In-app e-commerce
- Hotel booking or packing checklists