[ByteHack] Guarant.io

Warranty records stored via the backend.
Warranty popup page in the Google Chrome extension.
Guarant.io extension in the Chrome manage extensions page

The Problem with Warranties

Many products often come with guarantees or warranties. However, warranty cards are often physically stowed in forgettable corners, or the digital copy in a messy computer or cloud. This is so outdated: when the unthinkable happens and hard-earned belongings spoil, the warranty has often vanished, is expired, or you realise it never even existed to begin with. Moreover, to make a strong claim you must preserve proof of purchase - difficult when receipts can fade over months, though warranties may last for years! Enter Guarant.io, a warranty tracking concept for the technoverse.

Keeping Your Stuff Protected

Guarant.io ensures your precious items are always protected. When purchasing a new item online, it checks whether it comes with a warranty. If it does, it lets you know how long the warranty is for. If it does not, it links up with third party warranty providers, showing alternative ways to get it protected without the hassle of manually searching. If the product is purchased, it saves the warranty information and proof of purchase to a table that is only accessible by you, and lets you know when warranties are going to expire.

Technical Details

Guarant.io is a proof-of-concept Google Chrome browser extension that is designed to get warranty information from online shopping platforms. The frontend was done in Javascript, Html, Css, with the central web page also using Firebase. The backend is in Python, using Flask.

Challenges we ran into

We spent the entire day 1 of the hackathon ideating, to come up with this original idea that does not already exist. Many of the ideas we came up with had already been implemented in some way, even if they were obscure, and we wanted to be really creative. Unfortunately, this means coding this implementation suffered from extreme lack of time: As of writing, backend and frontend do not connect and this might not be achieved before the deadline.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Coded multiple components that communicate with each other.
Came up with an original and beneficial idea that is digitally empowering.
First hackathon as year one students.

What we learned

Some prior knowledge we had was outdated as we adapted to technologies that evolved since we last used them.
The basics of Firebase and Flask.

What's next for Guarant.io

As a proof-of-concept, here are some ways the Guarant.io concept can be explored further:

Connect the backend implementation to the front-end.
Testing and capturing of real datasets.
As an application available on mobile platforms - for the convenience of users.
Implemented across multiple online shopping platforms (Currently only testing on Shopee).
Partnering with businesses and third party warranty providers directly to directly integrate the warranty and proof.