Hack-a-Spot

Automatically recommend the nearest available parking spots to the user based on their current location, considering their time and budget.

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Hack-a-Spot

Inspiration

The inspiration for this project came from the common struggle of finding available parking spots in busy urban areas. We wanted to create a solution that not only helps users locate parking spots but also provides detailed information about the parking lots, such as cost, availability, and distance from their current location.

What it does

Hack-a-Spot helps users efficiently find nearby parking spots by providing real-time data on availability, cost, and distance. The application integrates mapping and routing features to assist users in navigating to their chosen parking spot with ease. Additionally, it offers geolocation-based suggestions, ensuring users receive the most relevant parking options based on their current location.

How we built it

We built Hack-a-Spot using a combination of technologies and tools to ensure a seamless and efficient experience:

  • React: Used for building the user interface and managing state, allowing for dynamic and interactive components.
  • Leaflet: Integrated to display maps and markers, providing users with a visual representation of locations.
  • Express.js: Implemented as a simple backend server to handle API requests efficiently.
  • OSRM API: Utilized to calculate routes and distances between locations, enabling accurate navigation.
  • LocationIQ API: Used for geocoding, allowing us to fetch coordinates based on user input.

Challenges we ran into

Building Hack-a-Spot presented several challenges that required careful problem-solving:

  1. Distance Calculation Using the Haversine Formula

    • One of the significant hurdles was calculating the nearest distance between the user's location and parking lots.
    • This involved precise handling of latitude and longitude values to ensure accurate great-circle distance calculations.

  2. Efficient State Management in React

    • Managing multiple components and handling asynchronous data fetching while ensuring real-time UI updates was a challenge.
    • We had to structure our state logically to avoid unnecessary re-renders.

  3. API Integration Complexities

    • Integrating multiple APIs (LocationIQ for geocoding and OSRM for routing) required handling asynchronous calls efficiently.
    • Managing API errors and seamlessly combining data from different sources added to the complexity.

  4. Handling Asynchronous Data Fetching

    • Ensuring smooth UI updates while fetching data asynchronously was crucial.
    • We used async/await to handle these operations efficiently and provide a seamless user experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Successfully integrating multiple APIs to provide real-time location-based parking recommendations.
  • Implementing a smooth and interactive user interface with real-time updates.
  • Efficiently handling geolocation data and optimizing search results using the Haversine formula.
  • Developing an intuitive mapping and routing system that helps users navigate to their parking spots with ease.

What we learned

Throughout the development of Hack-a-Spot, we gained valuable insights into:

  • State Management in React: Effectively handling asynchronous data and UI updates.
  • Mapping and Geolocation APIs: Integrating Leaflet, OSRM, and LocationIQ for a seamless navigation experience.
  • Backend API Handling: Using Express.js to manage data requests and responses efficiently.
  • UI/UX Principles: Designing a clean and user-friendly interface to enhance the overall user experience.

What's next for Hack-a-Spot

We see immense potential for Hack-a-Spot and plan to enhance it with the following features:

  • Live Parking Updates Using CCTV Feeds

    • Integrate real-time CCTV camera feeds to detect available parking spots.
    • Use computer vision techniques (OpenCV, TensorFlow, or YOLO) to process video streams and identify empty spaces automatically.

  • Payment Integration

    • Allow users to pay for parking directly through the app via digital wallets or UPI.

  • User Reviews & Ratings

    • Enable users to share feedback on parking spots to help others make informed decisions.

  • AI-Powered Predictions

    • Use machine learning to predict parking spot availability based on historical data and traffic trends.

Hack-a-Spot has been an exciting journey, and we look forward to refining and expanding it to make parking easier and more efficient for everyone!

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