Research Assistant, Institute of Information Science (IIS), Academia Sinica
Bio-Industrial Mechatronics (BIME), National Taiwan University
NTU HACKATHON
2017 HackNTU @ Flower Expo Park, Taipei
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Our team consists of 10 members with different specialties, such as computer science, engineering, design, human-computer interaction, and so on.
In the 3-day Hackathon event we developed a system aiming for charity purposes, by aiding underprivileged citizens and welfare organizations, utilizing excessive agricultural products in grocery and retail markets.
BACKGROUND
Grocery markets and retail stores purchase massive amount of agricultural products daily. However, due to excessive purchasing, lots of unsold products are wasted in vain.
On the other hand, underprivileged citizens and welfare organizations are in need of accessible food source.
We believe that bridging up the two communities may bring a possible solution for dilemmas of both sides. For merchants, instead of throwing unsold agricultural products away directly, they could be utilized in a better way. For those in need, food source with no big difference in quality becomes available with relatively cheaper prices or even free.
MARKETS & RETAIL STORES
Excessive purchase of agricultural products results in massive amount of waste, especially for gradually expiring and relatively poor-looking products that are less likely to be purchased.
UNDERPRIVILEGED GROUPS
Underprivileged groups such as poor individuals, families or welfare organizations could benefit very much from cheap, accessible groceries from markets and retail stores.
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DISCUSSION
We discussed our ideas on sticky notes and gradually converged to our solution.
SIMILAR INNOVATIONS?
- Similarities and differencesÂ
- Target users & user experience
- Possible causes of success or failure
- ...
TARGET GROUPS?
- Food source providers
- Food source demanders
- ...
FOR PROVIDERS
- Cooperation with enterprises
- How to achieve our goals without interfering business or profits?
- How to manage stock?       Â
- ...
FOR DEMANDERS
- Cooperation with communities and organizations
- How and where to receive food?
- Information source?
- ...
FUNCTIONALITIES?
- Stock distribution and delivery
- Information database and bulletin
- ...
TECHNICAL ASPECT
- Website and phone application
- Database management system
- ...
TARGET USER GROUPS
We obtained information of user experience by surveys and field investigation.
USER SILHOUETTE
- Welfare organizations
- Families or individuals in need
- Anyone looking for cheap grocery
& wish to avoid waste
PROVIDEÂ INFORMATION
- Purchase date
- Expiry date
- Quantity per serving
- Place of production
- ...
SYSTEM STRUCTURE
DATABASE
Inventory information of each collaborator (market or store, food source) and vending machine (destination) are stored in the database and periodically updated.
The MySQL Workbench GUI provides a management interface.
WEBSITE & PHONE APPLICATION
Users can check locations and current inventories of nearby vending machines.
USER INTERFACE
A device with a touch interface is mounted on each vending machine.
It provides purchase functionalities like self-service ordering machines in fast food restaurants.
STORY BOARDING: PROCESS FLOW
This is a story boarding of the system's operation process from a demander (buyer)'s aspect.
Let's take a look of how did Jane satisfy her requirements with help of the Food Conveyor Project.
Illustration by Szuyu :)
1
Jane is a household wife who is currently short of money.Â
She is concerned about food source for today's dinner.
