EcoManager

Barcode Scanning
Edamam API Information from Bar Code
Product Expiring Date Data

Inspiration

We came up with this idea while eating our first lunch at HackRPI. We noticed that there's an increasing concern over food waste and came to an agreement that we want to build something relating to waste management and sustainability that helps solve the waste problem.

What is EcoManager

EcoManager is an Android application that advises people on how to better manage their grocery shopping and recycle things they purchase and use, with an ultimate goal to help reduce food waste, contribute to sustainability, and make the planet a better place.

How we built it

We decided to make an Android application using Android Studio that would first scan bar code data for the products. The bar code information would be decoded, getting information about the product name and packing style. The ways for recycling packaging etc would be given via the application, and a generalized database would be used to set an alarm to alert the user when food is near its expiring date.

Accomplishments we have achieved

We have successfully implemented Android Studio codes of different version into one general file. Though not all implemented, we were able to plan out the general algorithms that would be used in each part. A database was generated for general expiring dates of various food products.

Lessons we have learned

We had difficulties calling the Edamam Food Database API using Java. Instead of having multiple people trying to work on one task, having team mates work on independent parts would help in the case of time consuming procedure, so progress would still continue.

What we can improve

Our next step is to figure out how to incorporate the Food Database API as well as use advanced machine learning techniques and self-built natural language processing model to make customized and more accurate and detailed recommendations to users regarding waste disposal, waste management, and recycling.

Built With

Submitted to

HackRPI

Created by

Developed the idea and designed the architecture of the product. Researched on the cause and estimated the impact of our idea.

AanjanayeK
Did research into how to do things in Android Studio. Found the Edamam database (and got a developer license) that we used to get information from barcodes. Was able to successfully call the api with a 'curl' but wasn't able to figure out how to do it in Java as I was working with new technologies and still figuring things out.

Malorn44
Implemented a basic QR Code Reader based on existing programs. Figured out configurations needed for importing older version programs of Android Studio into newer versions. Planned and attempted figuring out algorithm needed to implement parsing Json to get information from edamam website and implementation of expiring date alarm/reminder.

David W. Kim
Used Python to abstract data of product shelf life information from Food Bank website and crated relevant databases, which served for an extra feature of our app. Contributed to idea formation as well.

Jingqiao (Ciao) Huang

Updates

Malorn44 started this project — Mar 17, 2019 08:58 AM EDT

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