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January 8, 20268 min readBuilding UI for

Building UI for Emergency Response Applications from Live Video Feeds

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay lets you build emergency response application UIs directly from live video feeds by intelligently converting observed user interactions into functional code, drastically reducing development time.

The Untapped Potential of Live Video in Emergency Response UI Development#

Imagine building the UI for a critical emergency response application, not from scratch, but directly from observing real-world scenarios unfold in video. The potential to create intuitive, effective interfaces tailored to specific emergency situations is immense. Traditionally, this has been a pipe dream, but with advancements in AI, particularly video-to-code engines, it's now a tangible reality. We can leverage video of simulated or even past emergency events to rapidly prototype and deploy life-saving applications.

The Problem: Traditional UI Development Bottlenecks#

Building UI for emergency response scenarios presents unique challenges. Traditional methods are often:

  • Time-consuming: Manually coding interfaces based on abstract requirements can take weeks or months.
  • Error-prone: Misinterpreting user needs and emergency workflows leads to usability issues and potential failures.
  • Inflexible: Adapting to new scenarios or evolving requirements requires significant code refactoring.
  • Lacking Real-World Context: UIs designed in isolation may not perform well under the stress and complexity of real emergencies.

This is where behavior-driven reconstruction shines. Analyzing video of actual or simulated emergency response workflows provides invaluable insight into user behavior, pain points, and optimal interaction patterns.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction from Video to Code#

Replay is a video-to-code engine that uses Gemini to reconstruct working UI from screen recordings. But unlike simple screenshot-to-code tools, Replay understands the intent behind user actions. It leverages "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" – treating video as the source of truth for UI design. This allows developers to quickly prototype and iterate on UIs that are truly aligned with user needs in emergency situations.

How Replay Works: A Technical Deep Dive#

Replay analyzes video feeds, identifying UI elements, user interactions (clicks, scrolls, form inputs), and the overall flow of actions. It then generates clean, functional code that replicates the observed behavior.

  1. Video Ingestion: Replay accepts various video formats and resolutions. For live feeds, a streaming protocol like WebRTC can be used.

  2. Behavioral Analysis: Gemini powers the engine to understand the why behind the user's actions. It identifies patterns, infers intent, and extracts key information from the video.

  3. Code Generation: Replay generates React, Vue, or HTML/CSS code based on the analyzed video. It can also integrate with backend services like Supabase.

  4. Refinement & Customization: The generated code serves as a starting point. Developers can then refine the UI, add custom logic, and integrate it into their existing applications.

Key Features for Emergency Response UI Development#

Replay offers several features that are particularly valuable for building emergency response UIs:

  • Multi-Page Generation: Emergency response scenarios often involve complex workflows spanning multiple pages. Replay can generate entire multi-page applications from a single video.
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate the generated UI with Supabase for real-time data synchronization and user authentication.
  • Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of the UI to match your branding or specific emergency requirements.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user's journey through the application, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement.

Building an Emergency Response UI with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a simplified example of building a UI for a fire emergency response application using Replay. Imagine we have a video of a dispatcher receiving a call, gathering information, and dispatching resources.

Step 1: Capture or Obtain a Video#

Record a video simulating a fire emergency response scenario. This could be a staged simulation or a recording of a past event (with appropriate permissions and anonymization). Focus on capturing the dispatcher's screen and their interactions with the existing system (if any).

Step 2: Upload and Analyze with Replay#

Upload the video to Replay. The engine will automatically analyze the video and identify UI elements, user interactions, and the overall workflow.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay will generate React, Vue, or HTML/CSS code representing the UI observed in the video. Review the code and make any necessary refinements.

typescript
// Example of generated React code for a form import React, { useState } from 'react'; const DispatchForm = () => { const [address, setAddress] = useState(''); const [description, setDescription] = useState(''); const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => { e.preventDefault(); // Send data to backend (e.g., Supabase) console.log('Address:', address, 'Description:', description); }; return ( <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}> <div> <label htmlFor="address">Address:</label> <input type="text" id="address" value={address} onChange={(e) => setAddress(e.target.value)} /> </div> <div> <label htmlFor="description">Description:</label> <textarea id="description" value={description} onChange={(e) => setDescription(e.target.value)} /> </div> <button type="submit">Dispatch</button> </form> ); }; export default DispatchForm;

Step 4: Integrate with Backend (Supabase Example)#

Connect the generated UI to a backend service like Supabase to store and retrieve data.

typescript
// Example of integrating with Supabase import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL'; const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_KEY'; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => { e.preventDefault(); const { data, error } = await supabase .from('incidents') .insert([{ address, description }]); if (error) { console.error('Error inserting data:', error); } else { console.log('Data inserted successfully:', data); } };

Step 5: Deploy and Test#

Deploy the application and test it thoroughly in simulated emergency scenarios. Gather feedback from dispatchers and other emergency personnel to further refine the UI.

Comparison: Replay vs. Traditional UI Development Tools#

FeatureTraditional UI Development (e.g., React from scratch)Screenshot-to-Code ToolsReplay
Video Input
Behavior AnalysisPartial (limited to visual elements)
Multi-Page GenerationRequires manual codingLimited
Supabase IntegrationRequires manual setupVaries
Code QualityDependent on developer skillOften messy and unmaintainableClean and maintainable (with developer refinement)
Understanding User IntentRequires extensive user research and testingNoneHigh (powered by Gemini)

📝 Note: Replay is not a replacement for skilled developers. It's a powerful tool that accelerates the UI development process and ensures that the resulting UI is aligned with real-world user behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Use high-quality video recordings with clear audio to maximize the accuracy of Replay's analysis.

⚠️ Warning: Always review and test the generated code thoroughly before deploying it to a production environment.

Benefits of Using Replay for Emergency Response UIs#

  • Faster Development: Build UIs in hours instead of weeks.
  • Improved Usability: UIs are based on real-world user behavior, leading to more intuitive and effective designs.
  • Reduced Errors: Minimizes the risk of misinterpreting user needs and emergency workflows.
  • Increased Flexibility: Easily adapt to new scenarios and evolving requirements by simply recording new videos.
  • Better Training Material: Replay can be used to generate interactive training materials based on real emergency scenarios.

Real-World Use Cases#

  • Dispatch Center UI: Quickly create and iterate on dispatch center UIs based on recordings of actual emergency calls.
  • Field Responder Applications: Develop mobile apps for field responders that are tailored to specific emergency scenarios, such as fire, medical, or law enforcement.
  • Emergency Simulation Training: Generate interactive simulations for training emergency personnel, allowing them to practice their skills in a realistic environment.
  • Disaster Relief Coordination: Build UIs for coordinating disaster relief efforts, based on video footage of affected areas.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the Replay pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code from input, Replay focuses on video as the primary input and uses behavior-driven reconstruction to understand user intent. v0.dev primarily uses text prompts and generates code based on those prompts. Replay excels at capturing the nuances of user interactions and translating them into functional UI.

What types of video can Replay analyze?#

Replay can analyze a wide range of video formats, including MP4, MOV, and WebM. It can also handle live video streams using protocols like WebRTC.

Can I use Replay to generate UIs for mobile apps?#

Yes, Replay can generate code for React Native, which can be used to build cross-platform mobile apps.

How secure is Replay?#

Replay uses industry-standard security measures to protect your data. All video uploads and code generation processes are encrypted. You can also choose to host Replay on your own servers for maximum security.


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