Inspiration As Rutgers students, we've all experienced not wanting to trek across campus just to grab food. We realized students already heading to dining halls could easily pick up orders for others and earn a small tip. What it does RU Delivery connects Rutgers students who want food delivery with students already heading to dining halls. Requesters select a menu item and their dorm, and nearby deliverers get pinged. Deliverers use their meal swipe to pick up the food, deliver it, and earn a commission. The requester's swipe is automatically deducted. All users are verified with @rutgers.edu emails.
How we built itr
Frontend: React.js with Google Maps API for campus navigation and proximity matching Backend: Node.js, TypeScript, Express, PostgreSQL Features: Real-time geolocation, menu systems for all dining locations, automated meal swipe tracking
Challenges we ran into Building a full-stack app with real-time features in 24-36 hours, integrating Google Maps across multiple campuses, designing a flexible database schema, and mocking the meal swipe system.
Accomplishments that we're proud of Created a fully functional MVP with authentication, mapping, and request management. Built an intuitive interface that solves a real problem we face daily. Implemented secure Rutgers-only access and complex geospatial matching.
What we learned Rapid full-stack development under time pressure, working with geolocation APIs, database design for real-time applications, and the importance of prioritizing core features.
What's next for RU Delivery
Integration with official Rutgers dining API Push notifications for nearby requests In-app messaging and rating system Route optimization for multiple deliveries Expand to RU Express and dining dollars Partnership with Rutgers Dining Services
Built With
- figma
- node.js
- typescript
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