VoiceBox:Abstract
Principle Engineer
Administrative Role
Acted as sole engineer:
- Cloud Architect
- Software Architect
- Software Engineer
- Technical Writer
- Technical Project Manager
- Cloud SysOps (active)
- UI/UX Development
UI/UX design was developed in collaboration with Tre Borden Co
Design and implement system hardware: lighting, A/V, mobile power, mobile data connections.
Results
A short lead time required a dynamic staggered release of features:
- 3 month lead time to first activation
- 5 stages of lifecycle updates successfully pushed to production over the following year
The platform operated with zero downtime, ensuring no data or media was lost, while capturing hundreds of personal stories across 25 activation sites
The initial success of VoiceBox has led to partnerships with multiple non-profit organizations and has opened opportunities for broader implementation within corporate office settings
Led project conception:
- shaping core ideas
- defining technical budget
- establishing production timelines
- evaluating technical constraints
Oversaw all major activations, managing staff and volunteer training
Representing VoiceBox x TreBordenCo in engagements with high-profile corporate and political figures
Additionally, provided direct administrative support to client teams, including legal, media, and executive management.
Motivation
Imagined in response to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade June 2022.
Goal
Quickly, honestly, and efficiently gather real stories at events, rallies and gatherings in a safe private and confidence building environment. Enable our partners to engage with these stories and narratives in a reflexive and powerful way.
VoiceBox: Introduction
Three applications combine to create a SAAS for story collection, editing and outreach
Chaperone App-Tablet Application
Handheld tablet used by organization staff and volunteers
Connected to our media library, all gathered data is easily and securely uploaded and stored in the cloud.
Collect:- contact information
- demographic information
- digitally signed release forms
Voicebox console control:- control of participant queue
- live step and status updates from Voicebox console application
- name and description of the active participant
InBox App-Console Application
Interactive display and media capture
The participant interacts with VoiceBox through the console application. Upon entering The participant is welcomed by name.
All form requirements completed prior to console use thus allowing the InBox experience to be relaxed and guided.
Participants are verbally and visually introduced to the concepts of the activation. They are given prompts to speak about, calmed and reassured.
Media Library-Cloud Platform
Organizes everything collected
Media library is web application that centralizes media and data gathered on location to be easily accessed and used by editors and administration.
Organization Tools:- in-browser video streaming
- ratings system
- editor comments
- playlists
- search by: location, date, ratings, name
- action history
Player doens't work on server
VoiceBox:Technical Details
*Simplified AWS services structure does not show auth, redundancy, nginx r.proxy servers, etc.
*Simplified AWS services structure does not show auth, redundancy, nginx r.proxy servers, etc.
Chaperone App
App Features
- As many participants gather a chaperone can collect necessary release form and contact data: entries organized by name and time of sign-up. The chaperone can change participant queue order as necessary. This at minimum doubles the activation user throughput
- The chaperone app notifies the user when a participant finishes their story, and supplies name of finishing participant and name of new participant, easing the process of polite efficient interaction.
- Chaperone app updates the InBox app to great participant by name, further confirming the correct user data and release forms are connected to the proper user
InBox App
App Features
- Combined with external shotgun microphone the InBox App records production quality 4k video used in media outreach
- participant video stored and encrypted locally until connected to a high quality internet connection.
- automated upload of all captured video to our Cloud Media Library
- redundant local storage, error logging and video receipt confirmation
- Provides an interactive, multi-lingual, audio-visual introduction that guides participants through process.
Cloud Servers
App Features
- Redundant, highly available Ec2 servers running Ubuntu Server
- AWS auto-scaling used for failover and scaling
- Lambda Serverless infrastructure used for burst processing: media formatting and release form generation
- nginx running on ec2 as reverse-proxy
Media Library
App Features
- A graphical user interface that organizes participants with their assets: video, contact and demographic information, and release forms
- Provides tools to aid organization between media and administration teams: playlists, rating systems, tagging system, video use tracking list, and editor commentary
- a fully searchable library, search with: name, location, date, ratings, etc.
- a secure cloud application using AWS Cognito: User Pools for user authentication.
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