Andino & Emergency Wallets: Bridging Real-World Identity Verification with People Chain via PWAs

Ecosystem
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The Problem We’re Solving

Mountaineering federations and emergency services face critical challenges:

  • Paper-based summit logs that are easily falsified or lost
  • No verifiable proof of who reached which peak and when
  • Emergency reporting that lacks immutable timestamps and location verification
  • Zero crypto experience among end users (mountaineers, rescuers)

Rather than forcing users to download wallets from app stores or manage seed phrases, we built non-custodial PWAs that install directly to home screens—requiring zero blockchain knowledge while leveraging Polkadot’s infrastructure for trust.

Two Complementary Projects

:snow_capped_mountain: Andino Wallet PWA

A mountaineering logbook that:

  • Records summit attempts with GPS coordinates, timestamps, and expedition notes
  • Signs logs on-chain via system.remark on Asset Hub (Polkadot/Kusama/Paseo)
  • Links each log to the climber’s on-chain identity via People Chain (display/legal/web fields)
  • Creates an immutable, verifiable track record of ascents
  • Integrates emergency button that broadcasts location + context to blockchain

:sos_button: Emergency Wallet PWA

A dedicated “blockchain radio” for rescue teams that:

  • Listens 24/7 to System.Remarked events even in background tabs/service workers
  • Automatically detects EMERGENCY: -formatted remarks with GPS coordinates
  • Queries reporter identity in real-time from People Chains to verify authenticity
  • Displays emergencies on interactive maps with route context
  • Works fully offline (IndexedDB syncs when connection returns)

Honest UX Context: Purpose-Built for Real-World Adoption

This is a purpose-built PoC , not a general-purpose wallet:

  • :white_check_mark: Mobile-first design: Optimized for mountaineers using phones on trails (installable PWA)
  • :warning: Known UX limitations: Overlapping UI layers, non-ideal button placement, and limited token navigation reflect our focus on core identity workflows over generic wallet features
  • :crystal_ball: Desktop view reveals future vision: While mobile shows the mountaineering flow, desktop exposes modular components demonstrating how Peranto’s architecture will eventually unify on-chain logic (Substrate) with Proof of Personhood flows across industries

Why This Matters for Polkadot’s Proof of Individuality

These projects demonstrate Proof of Individuality in practice without requiring users to:

  • Understand crypto concepts
  • Hold tokens upfront (see “Token Acquisition” below)
  • Interact with DeFi or DEXs

Instead: :white_check_mark: Users authenticate via WebAuthn (Face ID/fingerprint) — no seed phrases
:white_check_mark: Their People Chain identity becomes the anchor for real-world achievements
:white_check_mark: Summit logs become verifiable credentials tied to a unique human
:white_check_mark: Emergency reports gain trust via on-chain identity verification

This is PoI as infrastructure — invisible to end users but foundational to trust.

Token Acquisition for Non-Crypto Users

We acknowledge the cold-start problem: How do mountaineers get their first DOT/KSM without exchanges? Our approach:

  • Federations cover minimal tx fees via on-site QR payments (fiat → federation wallet → user account top-up)
  • Future integration with People Chain’s incentive mechanisms for verified identity actions
  • Open question for the community: How should PoI systems handle micro-funding for identity-critical transactions?

Technical Approach & Security Transparency

Stack

  • Vite + React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS
  • @polkadot/api + Dedot for chain interactions
  • WebAuthn for biometric auth (no private keys exposed to JS)
  • AES-256 encryption of all IndexedDB storage
  • Workbox for offline-first PWA capabilities

Security Reality Check

We openly acknowledge PWA constraints: :warning: IndexedDB/cache aren’t secure enclaves — physical device access risks data exposure
:white_check_mark: Mitigation: All sensitive data encrypted with user password-derived keys
:white_check_mark: Private keys never leave device memory during signing
:white_check_mark: Emergency broadcasts transmit minimal data (location + timestamp only)

This PoC validates UX patterns for mass adoption. Production deployments would require hardware-backed storage (TPM via WebCrypto) or companion mobile apps.

Current Status & Path Forward

  • :white_check_mark: Both PWAs compile and run on Polkadot/Kusama/Paseo testnets
  • :white_check_mark: Summit logs + emergency broadcasts successfully signed on Asset Hub
  • :white_check_mark: People Chain identity queries working across networks
  • :handshake: Collaboration with Federación de Andinismo de Chile: While they’re prioritizing public accountability systems for internal use this cycle, they’ve committed to interoperability testing and real-world validation of our identity layer
  • :light_bulb: Sustainable model: White-label licensing for federations/NGOs needing verified identity logs. Pricing discovery is still unknown; any suggestions?

Call to Action for the Community

  1. Test the PWAs :
    → Andino Wallet (install on mobile for best experience)
    → Emergency Wallet (install on mobile for best experience)
  2. Security review : We welcome audits of our IndexedDB encryption + WebAuthn integration
  3. Expand the pattern : Could this work for fishing licenses, disaster responders, or professional certifications where proving you are a unique human matters more than financial transactions?
  4. People Chain feedback : How should we optimize identity field usage (display/legal/web) for non-crypto contexts?

Built by Edgar Salinas (PBA HK alumni) with design by Peranto and community support from Web3 Chile. Part of our mission to make Proof of Individuality infrastructure invisible, trustworthy, and accessible to 8 billion humans — not just crypto natives.

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