FAQ - HotPot Pothole Detection

❓Why HotPot?

Why should I use this app?

HotPot helps make roads safer for everyone by crowdsourcing pothole data. By detecting and mapping potholes, we can:

Improve Road Safety - Help authorities prioritize road repairs where they're needed most
Prevent Damage - Warn drivers about dangerous potholes before they cause vehicle damage
Save Money - Collective action can lead to better road maintenance funding
Make a Difference - Your contribution helps build a comprehensive map of road conditions

How does this help get potholes fixed?

By creating a detailed, public database of pothole locations with severity ratings, we provide:

                        Data for Decision Making: Local authorities can use our data to identify problem areas and prioritize repairs based on severity and frequency of reports.
                    

                        Community Evidence: Documented pothole data gives communities concrete evidence when advocating for road improvements. Car damaged? Now you can point to a specific place and time with any other reports to support your claim.
                    

⚙️How It Works

How does the app detect potholes?

The app uses your smartphone's built-in sensors to automatically detect potholes:

Accelerometer - Detects sudden jolts and impacts when your vehicle hits a pothole
GPS - Records the exact location of each detection
Smart Algorithm - Filters out false positives like speed bumps and normal road vibrations

When your phone detects a significant vertical impact, it automatically records the location and severity.

How do I use the app?

Using HotPot is simple:

Visit magic-app.online/hotpot/ on your mobile device
Install the app to your home screen (it's a Progressive Web App)
Mount your phone securely in your vehicle
Start Recording before you begin driving
Drive normally - the app does the rest automatically
Stop Recording when you finish your journey

                        💡 Tip: Keep your screen on and phone charged for best results. The app includes Wake Lock to prevent screen timeout.
                    

Does it work while I'm driving?

Yes! The app is designed for hands-free operation:

Automatic detection - no interaction needed while driving
Just press "Start Recording" before you drive
Keep your phone mounted and screen visible
Stop recording when you arrive safely

⚠️ Safety First: Never interact with the app while driving. Set it up before starting your journey.

🔒Privacy & Data

What data do you collect?

We collect only essential data for pothole detection:

Location Data - GPS coordinates of detected potholes
Impact Severity - Accelerometer readings at time of detection
Speed & Direction - Your speed when pothole was detected
Timestamp - When the pothole was detected

Is my data anonymous?

✅ Yes, all data is completely anonymised!

We do NOT collect or store:

❌ Names or user accounts
❌ Email addresses or phone numbers
❌ Personal identifying information
❌ Your home location or regular routes
❌ Vehicle information

All detections are completely anonymous. We only record where potholes are, not who reported them.

Who can see the data?

The pothole database is public and can be viewed by anyone on our dashboard:

🗺️ Interactive map showing all detected potholes
📊 Statistics about road conditions
📍 Location and severity information

This transparency helps communities and authorities address road problems effectively.

🔑API Key

Why do I need an API key?

The API key is required to:

Submit pothole detections to the database
Monitor system usage
Ensure data quality

Can I get my own API key?

Yes! Contact us at jono@footiefives.com to get your own API key.

Custom API keys are useful for:

Building custom integrations
Creating third-party apps
Using the data for research
Tracking your own submissions separately

💡Additional Questions

Does this drain my phone battery?

The app uses GPS and sensors which do consume battery. For best results:

Keep your phone plugged into a car charger
The app is optimized for efficiency
You can stop recording when not needed

What devices are supported?

📱 Mobile devices only!

                        HotPot requires a smartphone with:
                        Accelerometer (motion sensor)
GPS capability
Modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

                        Works on both iOS and Android devices.
                    

Is this app free?

Yes! HotPot is completely free to use. It's a community project aimed at improving road safety for everyone.

🚀Like What You See?

Contact Us to Get Your Project Off the Ground

Need custom software developed quickly?

This entire HotPot system — from the mobile detection app to the real-time dashboard with map integration, geocoding, and database optimization — was built rapidly using modern development techniques.

We can build anything you need:

📱 Mobile and web applications
🗺️ Interactive dashboards and data visualization
🔌 API development and system integration
🗃️ Database design and optimization
⚡ Real-time data processing systems
🎯 Custom solutions for your specific needs