Problem Statement: Many face the frustration of searching for parking spaces, leading to wasted time, fuel consumption, and driver irritation. Campus parking during peak hours exacerbates the issue, causing tardiness and inconvenience. Existing solutions lack real-time updates and comprehensive coverage.
Solution: Introducing SlugSpot - an innovative app providing real-time parking availability updates. Utilizing computer vision and existing security cameras, SlugSpot ensures hassle-free parking, reducing traffic congestion and promoting a smoother driving experience.
How It Works: SlugSpot uses computer vision on security cameras to calculate available parking spots at each UCSC parking lot. Live updates on the number of cars are sent directlyon to the user's phone, optimizing their parking experience. The app analyzes parking patterns, suggesting optimal times for stress-free parking.
Technology Stack: React-Native for the user interface. Firebase for database and backend. OpenCV for car detection. Figma for design. GitHub for collaborative development. Expo Go for real-time application testing.
Comprehensive Coverage: Tracks ENTIRE parking lots, not just designated spaces. Suitable for campus environments and city structures, and anywhere where a camera can be integrated
Easy Integration: Minimal infrastructure requirements - just a few cameras needed. compatible with various camera systems, such as already-installed security cameras
Scalability: Designed for scalability, ensuring effectiveness beyond the initial implementation.
User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive design for seamless user experience.
Market and Competitors: Initial focus on TAPS (UCSC transportation service). Potential expansion to other campuses and city structures. Competitors include ParkMobile and SpotAngels, but SlugSpot stands out with its ease of integration and comprehensive coverage.
How do we stick out? Being eco-friendly and sustainable through the usage of old security cameras that are already integrated Rather than reintegrating whole new devices and systems for one specific lot, we can use pictures of security footage to track the current amount of cars at a time 4th place in the sustainability challenge at CruzHacks
Revenue Model: Monthly/yearly fees for device implementation. Discounted subscription 1-year fee for UCSC students, monthly charge for tnon-student Additional charges for premium services, such as detailed parking statistics and reports.
Business Model: Initial 6-month beta period with free access. Gradual introduction of premium features in 3-month releases. Examples of future feature releases: Busiest/emptiest parking lots graph. Reporting system for parking lot issues. Integration with Parkopedia for city parking and UCSC schedule for campus free parking times. parking tracker for specific permit types. Tracking electric vehicle lots, disabled parking spots, etc.
Execution Plan: Initiate discussions with TAPS for collaboration + legality approval / no trespassing Collaborate with campus authorities for approval. Implement a robust backup system for camera and server failures. Release beta after 1-month testing period
Future Endeavors: Hardware development for real-world testing. Expansion to other campuses and city structures. Continuous improvement based on user feedback and evolving technology.
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