Portal Card

Inspiration

The inspiration for our project stemmed from one of our team members' trip to Japan during winter break, where they were captivated by the convenience of the Suica transit card. This innovative system sparked the idea of creating a universal transit solution that not only enhances convenience but also allows users to earn cashback through integrated credit card features. Coming from diverse regions—ranging from the subways of New York to California’s BART—we envisioned a system that could bridge the gap in accessibility while rewarding users for their daily commutes.

How we built it

We developed our app using Dart as the primary programming language and Flutter as the framework, ensuring a seamless cross-platform experience. Our team used IntelliJ IDEA as the main integrated development environment (IDE) for coding and debugging. For UI/UX design, we relied on Figma for prototyping and wireframes, complemented by Photoshop for creating detailed visuals and graphic assets.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges we faced was setting up the contactless payment system for our app on both iOS and Android. For iOS, integrating Apple Pay required a multi-day approval process, which inhibited us from adding it to the project. On Android, implementing Google Pay presented its own hurdles due to Google's multi-step authentication process, which lacked clear and comprehensive documentation. These obstacles not only slowed progress but also required us to dedicate extra time to troubleshooting and research.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of successfully integrating Google Pay into our app and prioritizing security by safeguarding authentication keys. This achievement ensures a seamless payment experience while safeguarding user data with robust authentication protocols.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we gained valuable experience in integrating Google APIs, overcoming challenges, and implementing them effectively. Additionally, we honed our skills in using mockup software like Photoshop to design high-quality visuals, ensuring our app’s user interface is both functional and visually appealing.

What's next for Portal Card

Our next steps include integrating Apple Pay to expand compatibility across platforms and exploring potential partnerships with banks to secure funding and enhance the app’s functionality. These initiatives will help us bring Portal Card closer to becoming a universal transit and payment solution.

Built With

• dart
• flutter
• google-wallet-api