CoolRoute
A consumer app that maps shaded walking and transit routes, flags AC-friendly stops, and alerts parents and pet owners when outdoor conditions become unsafe for kids, elders, or dogs.
Urban parents, dog owners, and elderly caregivers planning any time outside during heat waves
- Turn-by-turn walking route that prioritizes shade, fountains, and tree canopy
- 'Is it safe to walk my dog right now?' one-tap answer for your exact address and breed
- Pet and kid heat-tolerance timer that texts a partner when the timer expires
- Curated list of nearby libraries, malls, and cooling centers with hours and AC status
Trending extreme-heat search traffic shows people actively trying to decide whether it's safe to go outside — they want a fast, local answer, not a regional forecast.
2,000+ extreme-heat searches in one US metro indicates direct consumer pull for actionable guidanceShadePath — Beat the Heat. Follow the Shade. ↗
Weather apps give temperatures but not pet/kid-specific thresholds or shaded routingShadePath — Beat the Heat. Follow the Shade. ↗
Consumer monetization is harder; freemium plus pet/parent premium ($3-5/month) plausible but lowerShadePath — Beat the Heat. Follow the Shade. ↗
Seasonal peak in summer, but heat waves are lengthening year-over-year in most US metros
Maps APIs plus weather data plus AC-location dataset is a one-engineer MVP