ramhacks2019
Car Max Challenge
Base Idea:
To fix the issue of not having the cars’ signs update as quickly as the website, we purpose the use of small tags or signs with a small LED light. The LED light is connected to a small switch that is cut on or off according to a wireless signal that can be transmitted to it from the main building of the parking area. The light will cut on when the car is not sellable, lighting up near the words unsellable. This means the light should update almost as soon as it changes on the website as long as the transmitter is in tune with the website or database.
Labor/Cost Idea:
To reduce costs and time consuming labor of changing the signs or tags, we purpose that the tag should be reusable and have most information needed on it, so it doesn’t have to be accompanied by many other signs. This can be done by having a dynamic QR code that links to the website for the car be on the tag. A static QR code could be used as well if it leads to a map that then maps to the website of the car. Reduction in costs comes from the fact that the tags will be reusable, as the tags can be remapped to a new car’s webpage if the car it was on is sold or removed. When remapped, the light could also be remapped, updating the light to work with the new cars status. If this process is optimized, then a simple update call can be used to update the tag and the light on it to a new car by simply inputting the car’s stock number.
Production Cost idea:
Since the tag shows a QR code, some text, and at max a few LEDs that only are on when the car cannot be sold, then the cost of production shouldn’t be much more than the cost of some waxed cardboard, LEDs, and some small batteries as LEDs don’t need powerful or long term batteries when they are not on all the time.
QR code idea:
The QR code will allow access to more advanced information that is shown online for the car when it is scanned. This makes it convenient for most consumers to find more information about the car without the need of assistance from an employee, and the consumers that do need assistance can simply ask an employee to scan it for them or let the consumer borrow a tablet to scan it. If the car is not sellable, then the QR code can be made to display unsellable when scanned, as the QR codes can be used dynamically with our idea.
App Idea:
If CarMax has its own app or wanted to make one, then our idea for the tag can be implemented well with it. Our tags could allow the QR to be an access to the website or webpage of the car it is assigned to. This means a QR code scanner implementation into the app could be a good idea, but isn’t necessary as there are many QR code scanners. The QR code could then link to a database that stores the stock numbers of a car. That stock number can be used to find the webpage, as the webpage of the car ends with the stock number. If the CarMax app had its own QR code scanner, then this implementation of the QR code not directly linking to the webpage is easier. Otherwise, it might be better to simply have the QR code link to the webpage more directly.
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