Nafasi - Real-time Parking App

Project Scope

Nafasi is a mobile application built with Jetpack Compose for Android. It aims to streamline the parking experience for both drivers and parking space owners in Mombasa,Malindi-Kenya.

Key Features (User)

• Real-time Parking Search:
  • Find available parking spaces with live updates.
• Radius Control:
  • Refine parking searches within a user-defined radius.
• Location-based Search:
  • Search for parking by town name and pinpoint a specific location.
• Parking Details:
  • View available amenities (restrooms, security) for each parking space.
• Communication Channels:
  • Contact parking attendant/owner via WhatsApp API or SMS for inquiries.
• Parking Reviews & History:
  • See past experiences and reviews from other users.

Key Features (Parking Owner)

• Parking Space Registration:
  • Add parking spaces with details like vehicle category and capacity.
• Parking Conditions:
  • Set specific conditions for allowed vehicles (e.g., size restrictions).
• Payment Confirmation:
  • Send QR code receipts with payment details to users.

Security Features

• Vehicle Photos:
  • Before leaving, users take 6 pictures of their car for evidence in case of theft.
• Theft Alert System:
  • Single-button alert to notify 5 closest police stations, prioritizing highway stations.
• Community Alert:
  • Broadcast notification to other users in the same parking spot for caution.
• Probability-based Search:
  • System sends search notifications to nearby Nafasi users to report a stolen vehicle.

Technology Stack

• Android App Development

  • Jetpack Compose (UI)

• (To be confirmed, after research-ML): Backend technology (e.g., Firebase, Cloud Firestore)

• (To be confirmed): Third-party integrations (e.g., WhatsApp API)

TO-DO List (High Priority)

• User Interface (UI):
  • Design and develop core screens using Jetpack Compose.
  • Implement functionalities for real-time parking search, radius control, and location-based search.
  • Develop screens for displaying parking details, communication options, and user reviews.
• User Functionality:
  • Integrate real-time parking data updates.
  • Implement location services for user positioning and radius search.
  • Develop functionalities for contacting parking attendants/owners (WhatsApp API, SMS).
  • Integrate user authentication and review system.
• Parking Owner Features:
  • Design screens for parking space registration and management.
  • Develop functionalities for adding parking spaces, setting conditions, and sending QR code receipts.
• Security Features:
  • Implement functionality for taking and storing vehicle photos.
  • Integrate a theft alert system with location sharing to police stations.
  • Design a notification system for community alerts within the same parking spot.

TO-DO List (Stretch Goals)

• Probability-based Search for Stolen Vehicles:
  • Develop an algorithm to send targeted search notifications to Nafasi users in the vicinity of a stolen car.
• Monetization Strategy:
  • Explore options like parking space listing fees or in-app purchases for premium features.
• Accessibility Features:
  • Implement functionalities for users with disabilities (e.g., voice search, clear labeling).
  • Scalability: Design the app's backend to handle future growth and feature additions.
• Testing:
  • Develop a comprehensive testing strategy for UI, functionalities, and performance.

This serves as a starting point for project discussions and development. It will be continuously updated as the project progresses.