Garitas Tijuana - Border Crossing Assistant

Introduction

Welcome to one of my creations - "Garitas Tijuana," an Alexa Skill that helps how travelers experience their commute between Tijuana and San Diego. I'll take you through the conceptualizing, developing, and deploying this traffic assistant.

The Vision

I wanted to have a way to easily know how much traffic there is in the border, without the need to login in my computer, and enter to CBP site, filter the border, search for my type of crossing, etc.
That was the vision behind "Garitas Tijuana." As a traveler myself, I recognized the need for a convenient tool that could provide up-to-the-minute traffic information at the Tijuana-San Diego border crossings.

Technical Background

AWS Lambda Function: This project uses a AWS Lambda function. This function serves as the brains of the operation, responding to user requests triggered by Alexa. It processes these requests, fetches the latest traffic data, and crafts user-friendly responses.

Alexa Skill Builder: Crafting a seamless voice interface was made possible through the Alexa Skill Builder. Here, I defined the skill's intents, interaction model, and sample phrases that users could employ to interact effortlessly with the skill.

Python for Custom Logic: To tackle the difficulties of data parsing, API requests, and response formatting, I turned to Python. This versatile language helped me to create a dynamic and intuitive user experience.

Here is a diagram of how an alexa skill works overall:

Data Sources

Reliability is key when it comes to traffic data. "Garitas Tijuana" leverages data from CBP Border Wait Times and trusted traffic reporting services. This ensures that users receive the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

User-Centric Design

Users can simply ask Alexa for traffic updates, making it accessible and convenient. The skill was designed to deliver quick and easy-to-understand responses, eliminating the need for users to sift through complex data.

Real-World Impact

"Garitas Tijuana" isn't just a technical marvel; it's a practical solution for commuters. Whether traveling for work, school, or leisure, users can now make informed decisions about their journeys, saving time and avoiding frustration caused by unexpected delays.

Conclusion

"Garitas Tijuana" exemplifies the fusion of technology and practicality. It's an example of the power of AWS, Alexa, and Python in solving real-world challenges. This project reflects my commitment to creating user-centric solutions and showcases my skills as a developer who's always ready to tackle complex problems.