TrailDex: Turn a Walk into a Pocket Nature Deck

Description and use

TrailDex lets users plan walks, record observations, and generate haikus with a local AI model, avoiding proprietary services.

Problem

Users want a lightweight way to notice and record wildlife while walking without relying on proprietary services or cloud AI.

Outcome

TrailDex enables users to plan walks, record observations, and generate AI‑enhanced haikus locally, eliminating reliance on proprietary mapping or AI services while keeping data on device.

Workflow

• Select two points on the map to preview a walking route
• Start GPS walk and record location
• Stop briefly to capture a photo or enter a text observation
• Optionally request AI suggestions for the organism and haiku
• Save the observation as a pocket‑monster card
• Review cards and battle offline
• Share or export cards
• Maintain a local field journal
• Use cards in offline practice battles

Evidence

TrailDex is an Android field guide game for people who want a small reason to notice more on a walk.

Source

The AI card flow uses Gemma 3 4B through Ollama. Ollama runs on a computer the user controls, and the phone connects to it when the host is reachable.

Source

The interactive map is rendered with the open-source Leaflet library in an Android WebView, using OpenStreetMap tiles.

Source

Cards, field notes, and saved GPS tracks are stored locally. There is no account system or multiplayer service.

Source