Smart Fridge

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Inspiration

The inspiration for this project came from the common problem of food waste and inefficient grocery shopping. Many people struggle to keep track of their ingredients and expiration dates, leading to wasted food and unnecessary expenses. Food waste is a major issue worldwide, with approximately 1.3 billion tons of food being wasted every year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This wasted food not only has a negative impact on the environment, but it also represents a significant financial loss for households and businesses. In fact, it is estimated that the average American household throws away around $1,800 worth of food every year. Additionally, wasted food contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, as the decomposition of food in landfills produces methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Addressing the issue of food waste is critical for both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. By developing technologies and solutions that help individuals and businesses reduce food waste, we can make significant strides towards a more sustainable and efficient food system.

What it does

Our web app addresses this issue by using OCR technology to scan grocery receipts and track foods before they expire. Using an AI-powered recipe generator, users can discover new recipes based on their ingredients and food items that will expire the quickest. The app also allows users to save their favorite recipes and track their eco points.

How we built it

Our team used a combination of technologies, including Amazon Textract OCR tools and AI-powered algorithms, to create a seamless user experience for our web app. We followed the MERN stack, using popular web development frameworks, to design and develop the app. We worked collaboratively to test and iterate on the app's functionality, ensuring that it was intuitive and easy to use. Through this process, we learned valuable skills related to OCR technology, ChatGPT API, and web development best practices.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges we faced was integrating the OCR technology with the AI recipe generator to ensure seamless functionality. We also had to overcome obstacles related to formatting the data extracted from the OCR tool to be compatible with the recipe generator. Additionally, we aimed to make the app as user-friendly and easy to navigate as possible, which required a lot of testing and iteration to ensure an intuitive design.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Our team is thrilled with the seamless integration of OCR and AI technologies, which has resulted in a streamlined and efficient user experience. Additionally, we take pride in the app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface, which we achieved through a combination of user testing and feedback. Overall, we are proud of the app's ability to help reduce food waste and simplify the grocery shopping process for users.

What we learned

Through this project, we learned valuable skills related to OCR technology, ChatGPT APIs, and web development. We also gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to food waste reduction and sustainable living.

What's next for Smart Fridge

Our team is excited to continue developing the app by incorporating additional features such as meal planning and grocery list creation to further simplify the grocery shopping experience. One new feature we want to add is text reminders for the users to check up on certain food items in their fridges. We are also eager to explore opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations to promote sustainable living and reduce food waste. Additionally, we plan to gather feedback from users to improve the app's functionality and user experience. Overall, our goal is to help people live more sustainably while making grocery shopping more convenient and enjoyable.