The problem EVNotify solves

Our DApp addresses critical challenges faced by electric vehicle (EV) users:

Unpredictable Charging Station Availability: EV drivers often struggle to find a nearby charging station with available slots, leading to delays and range anxiety.
Data Integrity and Trust: Current centralized systems can manipulate charging station data, leading to potential misinformation about station load, operational status, or traffic conditions.
Inefficiency in EV Route Planning: Lack of real-time and reliable information hampers the ability to plan efficient routes, especially when battery levels are low.
Timely Notifications: Drivers often lack automated notifications for optimal charging options or updates about station closures and maintenance.
Use Cases and Benefits
Real-Time Charging Station Optimization:
EV drivers can locate the nearest optimal charging station based on real-time station load, reducing wait times and ensuring a seamless charging experience.

Data Integrity through Decentralization:
Storing data on IPFS ensures tamper-proof and transparent records, fostering trust among users and stakeholders while preventing manipulation by charging station companies.

Improved Route Efficiency:
With AI-driven predictions and decentralized data, drivers receive accurate recommendations, enabling smarter route planning and mitigating range anxiety.

Push Protocol Notifications:
Automated alerts provide EV users with:

Suggestions for the best nearby stations when battery levels drop.
Updates on stations with heavy traffic, closure, or maintenance issues.
Notifications that keep them informed and prepared for unforeseen situations.
Environmental Impact:
Optimizing charging behavior minimizes unnecessary detours and idle times at stations, contributing to a greener, more sustainable EV ecosystem.

Challenges we ran into

Real-Time Data Accuracy and Latency
Challenge: Integrating real-time data from multiple charging stations was challenging due to inconsistent APIs and latency issues in retrieving updates.
Solution: We implemented data normalization layers to standardize input from various sources. Additionally, caching mechanisms were used to reduce latency, ensuring up-to-date and reliable information.

Ensuring Data Integrity on IPFS
Challenge: Storing large datasets (e.g., station loads and timestamps) on IPFS while maintaining accessibility and performance.
Solution: We optimized the storage process by chunking large datasets into manageable pieces and utilizing IPFS pinning services to ensure availability.

Push Notifications Implementation
Challenge: Configuring push protocol notifications for seamless updates was complex due to variations in user device configurations and permissions.
Solution: We implemented a robust fallback system using email and in-app notifications to ensure users never miss critical updates, even if push notifications fail.

AI Prediction Model Accuracy
Challenge: Building a prediction model that accurately forecasts station loads and traffic was difficult due to limited initial data and unbalanced datasets.
Solution: We augmented the dataset using synthetic data generation and applied advanced hyperparameter tuning to improve the model’s accuracy. Regular updates based on live data further refined predictions.

Integration of Decentralized and Centralized Components
Challenge: Bridging decentralized data storage (IPFS) with centralized AI services required careful orchestration to avoid performance bottlenecks.
Solution: We implemented an asynchronous processing pipeline, allowing decentralized data to flow seamlessly into AI models without delays.

Additional Features

Additional Features Added During the Hackathon
Push Protocol Integration

We implemented real-time push notifications to alert users about:
Low battery levels with nearby charging station recommendations.
Updates on station traffic, closures, or maintenance.
This feature significantly improved user convenience and responsiveness.
AI-Powered Traffic Prediction

Enhanced the DApp with a machine learning model to predict station load and traffic patterns based on real-time and historical data.
This addition ensures more accurate recommendations for optimal charging locations.
Decentralized Data Storage on IPFS

Introduced IPFS for storing EV station data, ensuring immutability and transparency.
This feature prevents manipulation of data by charging station operators, building user trust.
Heatmap Visualization

Developed an intuitive heatmap feature to visualize station traffic density, helping users easily identify less congested stations.
Route Optimization

Added a smart route planner that integrates AI predictions and real-time traffic data to suggest the most efficient path to a charging station.
Offline Mode for EV Charging Suggestions

Implemented an offline mode where users can access cached data of nearby stations, ensuring availability even in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Gamification for Eco-Friendly Charging

Introduced a reward system for users who charge during off-peak hours or at stations with renewable energy sources.
This feature promotes sustainable practices and incentivizes eco-friendly behavior.