Building ReadPal AI: An AI Reading Buddy in 3.5 Hours
Just wrapped up the Lovable Hackathon at UOB Plaza 1, and in just 3½ hours, I built something close to my heart: ReadPal AI — an AI reading buddy that helps kids aged 4–13 practice reading aloud with real-time feedback, gamified progress, and parent tracking.
The Problem
Many children struggle with reading practice, especially when:- Parents have limited time to sit with their children- Parents have limited literacy themselves- Children need consistent, patient feedback to improve
Traditional reading practice requires a parent or teacher to be present, which isn't always possible. This creates a gap in learning opportunities for many children.
The Solution: ReadPal AI
ReadPal AI is an AI-powered reading companion that provides:
- Real-time Feedback: As children read aloud, the AI listens and provides immediate feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension- Gamified Progress: Children earn points, badges, and unlock new stories as they improve- Parent Tracking: Parents can monitor their child's progress, see reading statistics, and track improvement over time — even when they can't be physically present
Technical Implementation
Building this in 3.5 hours required careful planning and the right tools:
OpenAI Integration
- Text-to-Speech: Converting stories and prompts into natural-sounding audio- Speech-to-Text: Transcribing children's reading attempts accurately- AI Feedback Engine: Analyzing reading performance and providing constructive feedback
Stripe Payment Gateway
Integrated a subscription model to make the platform sustainable while keeping core features accessible.
Rapid Development
Using Lovable's platform allowed me to focus on the core functionality and user experience rather than boilerplate code, which was crucial for such a tight timeline.
The Hackathon Experience
The Lovable Hackathon was intense but incredibly rewarding. The 3.5-hour constraint forced me to:- Prioritize core features over nice-to-haves- Make quick decisions about what truly mattered- Focus on creating a working prototype that demonstrated the concept
Why This Matters
Reading is fundamental to learning, and every child deserves access to quality reading practice. ReadPal AI addresses a real need by:
1. Accessibility: Available 24/7, regardless of parent availability2. Consistency: Provides uniform, patient feedback every time3. Engagement: Gamification keeps children motivated to practice4. Transparency: Parents stay informed about their child's progress
What's Next?
This hackathon project has the potential to become a full-scale application. The positive feedback and the clear need for such a tool make it worth exploring further.
Check it out: [ReadPal AI](https://readpal-ai-voices.lovable.app/)
The experience taught me that with the right tools and a clear vision, you can build meaningful solutions even under extreme time constraints. Sometimes, constraints force creativity and focus that lead to better outcomes.