Lost Items, Found Solutions

Campus Lost’n’Found

🌟 Inspiration

On campus, students frequently lose essential items—student IDs, keys, laptops, glasses, even mobility aids. Traditional lost and found systems are fragmented, slow, and often inaccessible. We were inspired to build a solution that’s inclusive, fast, and intuitive—one that empowers every student, especially those with disabilities, to reconnect with their belongings quickly and confidently.

🔍 What It Does

Campus Lost’n’Found is a web-based platform that centralizes lost and found services across campus: Students can report lost or found items using text, images, or voice input. AI-powered matching suggests potential item matches instantly. Accessibility-first design: colorblind-friendly palettes, large readable fonts, screen-reader compatibility, and multilingual support. Campus staff benefit from streamlined item tracking and return workflows.

🛠️ How We Built It

We built a responsive web app using: Frontend: Vue.js + Tailwind CSS Backend: Node.js with Express Database: MongoDB for fast item categorization and search AI/ML: TensorFlow, Hugging Face, and spaCy for natural language processing and image tagging Voice Input: Browser-native speech APIs Cloud Hosting: AWS + Vercel Authentication: OAuth2 with SSO integration Accessibility was a core priority: WCAG 2.1 compliance ARIA labels and keyboard navigation Optimized contrast and readability Voice control and screen reader support

⚔️ Challenges We Faced

Designing a UI that works equally well for screen reader users and visual users Balancing AI accuracy with performance for real-time item matching Ensuring secure handling of sensitive data (e.g., student IDs, contact info) Testing accessibility features across diverse devices and assistive technologies

🏆 Accomplishments We’re Proud Of

Built an inclusive platform usable by students with vision impairments, limited mobility, or language barriers Reduced item search time with AI-powered matching Created a responsive design that works seamlessly across desktop and mobile Received positive feedback from real students who said it would make a meaningful difference

📚 What We Learned

Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it must be baked into the design from day one Inclusive design improves usability for everyone Testing with diverse users reveals hidden usability issues Trust in lost-and-found systems depends on clear privacy protections

🚀 What’s Next

Deploy a campus-wide QR code system for quick item reporting and lookup Expand AI visual recognition to auto-tag uploaded item photos Partner with student services to make it the official campus lost and found system Add push notifications and SMS alerts for match updates Explore haptic feedback and sign language video guides for deeper accessibility

🧠 AI Relevance to Hong Kong

This project directly addresses Hong Kong’s need for smarter campus infrastructure and inclusive digital services. It’s a scalable solution for universities, public spaces, and transit hubs—where lost items are common and accessibility is critical. With AWS tools like Amazon Q Developer and Kiro, we’re ready to take this solution to the next level.