Ideaz

Idea: Smart Parking Management System for Urban Cities

PROBLEM: 
Urban areas are struggling with poor parking management as the number of vehicles continues to rise. Drivers often spend 10 to 15 minutes searching for a parking spot, leading to wasted time, increased fuel consumption, and additional traffic congestion. Illegal roadside parking   worsens the situation, blocking roads and contributing to air pollution. Current solutions such as manual attendants or unorganized parking lots are inefficient, they lack real-time updates, and fail to meet the ever growing demand.

SOLUTION:

A Smart Parking Management System can solve this issue by using IoT sensors and a mobile app to provide real time information on parking availability. Drivers can view, reserve, and receive step-by-step navigation directly to the parking space, saving time and reducing traffic. Features such as dynamic pricing, cashless payments, and automated entry and exit will make the system more efficient for users and profitable for lot owners.The system can also integrate digital payments, automated entry and exit using QR codes or license plate recognition, and dynamic pricing to encourage efficient space usage. City administrations benefit through reduced congestion and emissions, while communities enjoy smoother traffic flow and improved urban mobility. In the long run, this solution contributes to reduced congestion, lower emissions, and more organized urban mobility.

This issue matters to me because I often face parking struggles at malls and even on my college campus. I’ve seen how it causes delays, traffic jams, and unnecessary stress. A smarter system would save time, reduce chaos, and make daily travel far more convenient and efficient.

Idea Description:

Traffic congestion is a major problem in urban areas, especially during peak hours. While services like Uber, Ola, and Rapido offer instant booking for cars and two-wheelers, public transport remains rigid with fixed routes and schedules, leading to inefficiency and long waiting times. My idea is to develop a real-time, on-demand mini-bus system that combines the convenience of instant booking with the efficiency of public transport.

Passengers can select their pickup and drop-off points via an app, and a mini-bus will arrive to take them to their destination.

To make this practical, a network of mini-bus stops must be established almost everywhere, connecting to high-demand areas, rather than relying solely on existing bus stops. The system will dynamically adjust routes based on active requests and traffic conditions, ensuring buses run efficiently and minimizing waiting time for passengers. This approach bridges the gap between rigid public transport schedules and the flexibility of ride-hailing apps, making urban commuting faster, more reliable, and more comfortable.

Who Benefits:

• Commuters: Save time, reduce wait times, and have a flexible travel option.

• City Traffic Management: Fewer private vehicles on the road, reducing congestion.

• Bus Operators: Improved occupancy rates and optimized routes.

Why It Matters: As a frequent commuter, I’ve noticed that traditional buses are often underutilized or inconvenient. This system addresses both efficiency and convenience, while also helping reduce urban traffic congestion.

Technical Details:

• Passenger app for booking, live bus tracking.

• Driver app for real-time navigation and route updates.

• Backend system to match passenger requests with buses and dynamically calculate optimized routes.

• Use of predictive analytics for demand hotspots and real-time traffic integration to adjust routes.

This system creates a flexible, demand-responsive, and efficient public transport solution tailored for modern cities, improving urban mobility while reducing congestion.

One of the most common struggles I’ve seen as a student is simply finding my way around large campuses. Google Maps helps outdoors, but the moment you step inside a building, its usefulness ends. Freshers often feel lost trying to locate classrooms, labs, or administrative offices. The same happens in malls—hundreds of shops spread across multiple floors, but no easy way to find the exact store. That’s the gap I want to solve with CampusMaps: a mobile app that extends navigation indoors.

The concept is simple but powerful. Using only the phone’s built-in sensors like the accelerometer (for counting steps) and gyroscope (for direction), the app can estimate your movement and guide you in real time without relying on Bluetooth beacons, Wi-Fi routers, or any extra hardware. Just one tap, and CampusMaps becomes your personal indoor guide—pointing you toward your lecture hall, the library, or that café in a crowded mall.

The benefits are huge. Students, especially newcomers, gain confidence and independence navigating their campus. Shoppers save time and stress when locating specific stores. Universities and mall managers benefit too, since happier visitors means smoother operations and better experiences.

This problem matters to me because I’ve personally experienced the frustration of being lost in a new campus. What should be an exciting first day often turns into stress and confusion. With CampusMaps, we give people not just directions, but freedom, confidence, and time saved.

Of course, there will be challenges—accuracy, data mapping of interiors, and UI design—but if solved, CampusMaps could redefine how we navigate the world indoors.

 Real-World Problem

Modern smartphones and wearables have become our wallets, keys, and constant companions, but their batteries rarely last a full day of heavy use. Students juggling online classes and travel, professionals on long commutes, and travellers navigating airports all face the same obstacle: at some point, the battery warning appears and work or communication stops. Carrying power banks adds weight and eventually contributes to electronic waste. Conventional “wireless” pads still require a user to stop, place the phone carefully, and remain stationary. We need a way for devices to stay charged while we live life on the move.

 Gaps in Current Solutions

Fast chargers cut charge time but still tether users to a wall socket. Portable power banks solve mobility but not weight or sustainability. Inductive pads only work over a few centimetres and lose connection if the phone is lifted. Public USB ports raise data-security concerns. No mainstream system offers safe, efficient charging across several metres while the phone is in normal use or even in a pocket.

 The Proposed Solution

Create long-range wireless charging zones, similar to how Wi-Fi delivers data.

• Infrastructure: Ceiling or table-mounted transmitter panels emit a focused electromagnetic field or low-power RF beam.

• Smart Control: Sensors detect compatible devices, track distance and orientation, and energise only the area directly around the phone, adjusting power to maintain efficiency and safety.

• Device Hardware: Phones include a thin resonant coil or RF harvesting chip—technology that fits within today’s standard smartphone casing.

When a user enters a café, airport lounge, lecture hall, or bus equipped with these transmitters, their devices start topping up automatically—no cables, no specific placement.

 Who Benefits

• Users: True “always-charged” convenience, lighter devices, and freedom from carrying chargers.

• Businesses: Cafés, co-working spaces, airports, shopping malls, and public transport systems can attract and retain customers with a premium “power everywhere” service.

• Manufacturers: Phone makers can reduce battery size and cost, cut material use, and differentiate new models with built-in receivers.

• Environment: Fewer disposable power banks and smaller batteries reduce e-waste and mining of rare materials.

 Personal Motivation

As a student and frequent traveller, I often rely on my phone for maps, tickets, research, and payments. Running out of battery mid-journey is frustrating and sometimes risky. A world where phones charge automatically—just like connecting to Wi-Fi—would remove this daily stress and support more sustainable technology.

Technical Snapshot

The system uses resonant inductive coupling or beam-forming RF with directional antennas, operating in safe ISM frequency bands. Energy transfer at 1–3 metres has been demonstrated in research labs; our innovation is packaging it into scalable ceiling panels and IoT-based control for energy metering and user authentication.

Finding a parking spot in a busy city often feels like a daily battle. Drivers end up circling blocks, burning fuel, and get anxious just to find a spot. This doesn’t just waste time — it  adds up to traffic jams and pollution. Current solutions, whether it's random parking apps or attendants directing cars in, typically don't work because they are not reliable or too limited.

That's why I'd like to develop a Smart Parking Finder App. Using real-time data from IoT sensors, GPS, and even crowdsourced inputs,the app will indicate drivers precisely where there's parking available — whether it’s in malls, office complexes, public lots, or even roadside spaces. With just a few taps, individuals can be able to verify availability, pre-book a parking space, and make digital payments for hassle-free entry and exit.

The target users are daily commuters, urban residents, and visitors who struggle to find parking, while parking lot owners can fill more spaces and serve customers more efficiently. Even city authorities benefit because smarter parking reduces congestion and makes urban travel more efficient.

I am passionate about this issue because I see it every day. In cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and many other places, people spend far too long just hunting for a parking spot. With urban life getting busier, I believe smarter parking isn’t just convenient — it’s necessary.

Problem: In crowded cities, drivers spend 10–30 minutes on average searching for a parking spot. This wastes fuel, increases traffic congestion, and causes frustration. Current parking systems are limited to small private lots or malls and do not provide real-time, city-wide availability.

Market Gap: Most existing apps only display parking locations but fail to provide real-time availability updates, leaving drivers unsure if a spot is actually free when they arrive. Additionally, they are often limited to small areas, lack integration with both public and private parking spaces, and rarely offer direct communication with on-ground parking staff. This creates a major gap in trust, usability, and coverage.

Solution: A Smart Parking Finder App – Spot On that uses IoT sensors, AI predictions, and community-driven inputs to show real-time parking availability. Drivers can:

• See nearby free spots on a live map.

• Reserve/book spaces in advance.

• Get AI-based predictions on best times/places to park.

• Directly connect with local parking managers (security guards, attendants, lot owners) through in-app chat or call in case of confusion, disputes, or help needed.

Who Benefits:

• Drivers: Save time, money, and stress with real-time parking + human support.

• Parking Lot Owners: Higher occupancy, smoother operations, and customer trust.

• Local Parking Managers: A platform to manage and communicate easily with users.

• Communities: Less congestion, reduced pollution.

• Cities: Smarter urban mobility and valuable data insights for planning.

Why It Matters to Me: Parking struggles are something I face personally and see daily in crowded markets and office areas. Solving this problem will not only make life easier for drivers but also reduce unnecessary traffic, lower pollution, and improve city living conditions. Adding a human touch by connecting drivers with local parking managers makes the system more reliable and trustworthy.

Business Model (Technical Details):

• Basic app access is free for all drivers.

• Premium features include spot reservations, guaranteed availability, and exclusive discounts.

• Parking lot owners pay a subscription fee to digitize and list their lots.

• Commission is earned on every booked/reserved spot.

• Partnerships with local attendants ensure verified, managed parking.

• Data insights can be sold to municipalities and businesses for planning.

Key Takeaways:

• Parking is a universal urban pain point.

• Current solutions lack real-time availability.

• Spot On combines technology + local human support to create trust and efficiency.

• It improves convenience for drivers, efficiency for lot owners, and sustainability for cities.

Sun & Rain Canopy for Two-Wheelers

The Problem:-

In India, two-wheeler riders make up more than 70% of daily commuters. Unlike car drivers, they are exposed to harsh sun, sudden rains, and dusty winds while waiting at traffic signals or during slow traffic. This leads to:

Health issues (heat strokes, dehydration, skin problems).Discomfort and stress during travel.

Safety risks when riders try unsafe hacks like balancing umbrellas or rushing red lights to avoid getting wet.

Existing solutions like raincoats or ponchos are inconvenient, while big fixed sheds at signals are costly, hard to maintain, and not scalable across Indian cities.

The Gap in Current Market:-

Sepal (India, Shark Tank): Provides full motorcycle canopy but costs ~₹10,000, too expensive for many. Bulky and not stowable quickly.

Umbrella-type attachments (Amazon, Qaswa, Muren, etc.): Cheap but unsafe, unstable in wind, and block visibility.

Government infrastructure sheds: Expensive, space-hungry, not available at every signal.

 Gap: No affordable, lightweight, foldable canopy that is safe, quick to deploy, and rider-friendly.

HOW MY IDEA SOLVES:-

Design a foldable bike-mounted canopy that can be deployed like an umbrella when the bike is stationary (e.g., at signals, in traffic jams) and stowed away before riding.

Key features:

• Lightweight (≤ 4–6 kg), mounted on rear grab rail.
• Telescopic scissor mechanism (manual pull-up & lock).
• Waterproof + UV-protected fabric with vents for wind stability.
• Reflective strips for visibility.
• Quick-release system to fold and stow within seconds.

Cost target: ₹2,500–5,000 (affordable mass-market).

Who Benefits:-

Daily commuters on bikes/scooters: Protection from sun, rain, dust while waiting.

Families & delivery riders: Comfort for pillion riders, especially children and elderly.

Community & cities: Safer traffic behavior (riders won’t jump red lights to avoid weather), healthier and happier citizens.

Why This Matters to Me:-

Every day I see bikers waiting at red lights under scorching heat or heavy rains, getting drenched or exhausted, while cars wait comfortably. I believe two-wheeler riders deserve equal dignity and protection. This idea is close to me because it’s about fairness, comfort, and everyday safety for millions of Indians who rely on bikes.

 Technical Details :-

Frame: Aluminium alloy for lightness.

Canopy fabric: PU-coated polyester (waterproof, UV-resistant).

Mechanism: Telescopic scissor arms with locking joints.

Safety: Designed only for stationary use (interlock reminder to stow before riding).

TAGS:-

• mobility, two-wheelers, biker safety, rain protection, sun protection, affordable innovation, urban commuting, smart canopy

Waiting in long queues at hospitals, government offices, banks, and even cafeterias is a frustrating everyday problem. People often lose valuable time standing in line, which creates stress and reduces productivity. This is especially challenging for senior citizens, working professionals, and students who cannot afford to waste hours waiting. Current solutions like token machines or appointment apps either lack real-time updates or are not accessible to everyone, leaving a big gap in the market.

 My idea is to create a Smart Queue Management System (SQMS)—a mobile and web-based platform that allows people to take a digital token remotely, track their real-time position in the queue, and receive notifications such as “Your turn is in 10 minutes.” The system will use basic AI to predict waiting times by analyzing queue flow and adjusting for delays.

 Unlike existing apps, this solution will be lightweight, multilingual, and SMS-compatible so even people without smartphones can benefit. It can also integrate with simple digital displays at service points to ensure inclusivity.

Who benefits?

Users: Save time, plan schedules, and avoid unnecessary waiting.

Service Providers: Reduce crowd mismanagement, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Community: Reduced overcrowding increases safety, comfort, and accessibility—especially important post-pandemic.

This problem matters to me because I have personally experienced hours wasted in hospital queues where elderly patients struggled to stand for long periods. A simple, accessible system like this could make daily life smoother and more respectful of people’s time.

Technical Details: The system will connect to a cloud-based server, support QR code check-ins, SMS alerts, and integrate with IoT displays for seamless operation.

As a day scholar at Mahindra University, I face a common problem every evening. My classes often finish around 6:30 PM, and at that time it becomes difficult to book a reliable cab or auto. Even when I do manage to book, many rides get cancelled at the last moment, causing delays and unnecessary stress. At the same time, I see many students coming to campus in their own cars, often driving alone with empty seats.

This gap gave me the idea of creating a Campus Ride-Sharing App exclusively for Mahindra University students. The app would connect students traveling to similar locations so they can share rides. Vehicle owners can list their available seats, while riders can request to join. The cost of fuel can then be shared among everyone, making the trip economical for both sides.

Unlike general ride-sharing platforms, this app will be limited to verified Mahindra University students and staff, ensuring trust and safety. Features such as in-app verification, live location sharing, SOS alerts, and secure payments will make the system reliable.

The direct beneficiaries are students like me, who will save money, avoid last-minute cancellations, and reach home on time. Vehicle owners also benefit by reducing their fuel costs, while the community gains through reduced traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

This problem matters to me because I face it every single day. A student-focused ride-sharing solution will not only save time and money but also foster stronger connections within the Mahindra University community.