A voice-powered AI companion for real-time emotional regulation and tracking.
What we did
- Native iOS & Android Development
- UI/UX Design & Prototyping
- Audio Capture & Processing Integration
- Custom Push Notification Scheduling
- Secure User Authentication
- Firebase Analytics Implementation
About the project
In the rapidly evolving field of mental health technology, understanding the nuance of human emotion is the next frontier. Verenigma is a groundbreaking application designed to assist individuals struggling with focus, fatigue, and emotional regulation, particularly those with ADHD, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), or Alexithymia (the inability to identify and name emotions). The core premise is simple yet powerful: users record short voice notes, and the platform’s AI reflects their emotional tone back to them, helping to identify patterns before they spiral into burnout.
Tinderhouse was commissioned to transform this ambitious concept into a robust, consumer-facing mobile product. The client required a replacement for an existing Android application and a debut on iOS, ensuring strict compliance with Apple’s rigorous App Store guidelines. Our role was to build the bridge between the user and Verenigma’s sophisticated server-side AI.
We developed a native mobile ecosystem that allows users to capture high-quality audio, upload it for analysis, and view complex emotional data in a simplified, accessible dashboard. By creating a seamless interface for this AI app development project, we helped Verenigma provide users with "emotional clarity on demand," turning intangible feelings into actionable data for better sleep, focus, and mental resilience.
The Challenge
Building a mental health app that relies on biometric voice data presents a unique set of technical and user experience hurdles. The client needed a solution that was not only functional but also engaging enough to build lasting habits among users who often struggle with consistency.
Key challenges included:
Apple Compliance: Developing an app that met the strict privacy and functional guidelines required by the Apple App Store, specifically for health-related software.
Habit Formation: Users with ADHD often struggle with memory and routine. The app needed a flexible, robust reminder system to encourage regular journaling without becoming annoying.
Audio Integrity: The AI analysis depends entirely on the quality of the input. We needed to ensure audio recording was crisp, reliable, and easily uploaded to the server-side workflow, regardless of the user's connectivity.
Cross-Platform Parity: The client required a consistent experience across both iOS and Android ecosystems, replacing a legacy application with a modern, unified codebase.
Data Visualization: The results returned from the server were complex emotional metrics. These needed to be presented to the user in a way that was instantly understandable and non-threatening.
Our Solution
Tinderhouse engineered a dual-platform native solution designed to make emotional tracking as frictionless as possible. We focused on creating a clean, calming interface that hid the technical complexity of audio processing behind a simple "tap-to-speak" interaction.
Validated MVP Strategy
Given the need to establish the app structure and user experience early, we adopted a minimum viable product strategy. We quickly established a working prototype that provided a platform for the client to review core features, such as the dashboard layout and recording mechanics, before full-scale development began. This MVP development phase was crucial for refining the user journey, ensuring that the "About," "Privacy," and "Settings" sections were compliant with app store policies while maintaining a user-centric flow.
Native Audio Architecture
To ensure the highest fidelity for the AI analysis, we utilised native app development for both iOS and Android. This allowed us direct access to the device's microphone hardware and file system. We built a robust recording interface that allows users to initiate, reset, and re-record clips easily. Once satisfied, the app handles the secure upload of these audio files to Verenigma's established backend for processing, managing the data handshake seamlessly to ensure no recordings are lost.
Custom Scheduling Engine
To support users with ADHD and memory challenges, we developed a sophisticated notification engine. Unlike standard apps that might send a generic daily alert, Verenigma allows users to set up a bespoke schedule, for example, four times a day at specific intervals. We implemented local push notifications that trigger according to these user-defined preferences, inviting them to record a summary of how they feel. This feature transforms the app from a passive tool into an active partner in the user's mental health journey.
Secure Dashboard & Analytics
The dashboard serves as the central hub, presenting a summary of analysis results and providing immediate access to the recording function. We implemented secure authentication using email and password, with a seamless "forgotten password" recovery flow. Furthermore, we integrated Firebase Analytics to provide the client with anonymised, top-level user stats. This data allows Verenigma to track engagement goals and refine their AI models based on real-world usage patterns.
The Results
The launch of Verenigma provided a vital tool for the neurodivergent community, offering a scientific approach to emotional regulation that had previously been inaccessible to the general public.
Platform Compliance: The app successfully passed Apple's rigorous review process, establishing a presence on the App Store alongside the new Google Play version.
Measurable User Impact: Early data indicates profound benefits for the user base, with 68% of users reporting improved emotional regulation and 74% seeing a drop in depressive symptoms.
Enhanced Engagement: The customisable push notification system has successfully driven daily active usage, helping users build sustainable journaling habits.
Seamless AI Integration: The app functions as a flawless conduit for the server-side AI, delivering complex analysis back to the user in seconds.
Improved Sleep & Focus: By helping users process emotions before bed, 47% of users reported improved sleep quality, validating the effectiveness of the mobile solution.
Technical Highlights
Native iOS (Swift) for optimal audio handling and UI performance.
Native Android (Kotlin) ensuring broad device compatibility.
Audio API Integration for high-fidelity recording and secure server upload.
Local Notification Framework for customisable user reminders.
Firebase Analytics for real-time usage reporting and event tracking.
Secure RESTful API connection to the proprietary AI backend.
Building the future of digital health?
Whether you are integrating complex AI models or building a companion app for a medical device, Tinderhouse has the expertise to deliver compliant, user-friendly solutions.