Parkit Project

🚗 Project Overview

Parkit is a full-stack smart indoor parking system that lets users find and reserve parking spots in real time. By combining IoT hardware, a secure cloud backend, and a user-friendly mobile app, Parkit reduces driver frustration and boosts parking lot efficiency. The app is currently in closed testing on the Google Play Store.

✨ Key Features

✓ Real-Time Parking Availability Tracking
✓ Google Maps Navigation & Place Search
✓ Google Sign-In for Secure Authentication
✓ Instant Booking & Stripe Payment Integration
✓ Multi-currency & User Feedback System
✓ Admin Dashboard for Owners
✓ IoT NFC-Based Gate Control

🧰 Tech Stack

Frontend: Android Studio (Java/Kotlin)
Backend: Node.js (Heroku), Firebase Realtime DB & Firestore
APIs: Google Maps, Places, Stripe, Currency Layer
Cloud: Firebase Auth, Hosting, Security Rules
IoT: Raspberry Pi 4, Custom PCB, BME680, VL53L1X, PN532

🔧 Hardware & IoT Design

Custom PCB (KiCad) with I²C expanders & Qwiic connectors
BME680 for air quality & VL53L1X for precise distance
NFC access via PN532 RFID module
Interactive OLED display and 12-key keypad
Laser-cut acrylic enclosure for airflow & visibility
Noise-resistant wiring and modular assembly

🚀 Future Vision & Impact

Our long-term vision focuses on reducing urban congestion and creating smarter cities:

Predictive ML models for occupancy forecasting
Advanced RFID logging and analytics
Integration with citywide smart infrastructure
Gamification & loyalty rewards system
MVP pilot launch with real operators

👨‍🔧 Leadership & Contributions

I led a cross-functional team through a 16-week Agile cycle, overseeing hardware engineering and mobile app development to deliver a scalable smart parking solution.

🛠️ Directed design, prototyping, and testing of custom PCB using KiCad
📡 Managed sensor integration and hardware assembly workflows
📱 Led Android app development with Google Maps, Firebase, and Stripe integration
🔧 Oversaw firmware for secure Raspberry Pi to cloud communication
📐 Designed laser-cut enclosure optimized for sensor placement and usability
🚀 Applied Agile with 2-week sprints, sprint planning, and iterative delivery
🤝 Facilitated team collaboration through stand-ups, backlog grooming, and deadline tracking

🧭 Design Approach

This flowchart shows how the hardware interacts with the cloud and mobile app:

              flowchart LR
                  RaspberryPi["RaspberryPi4"] <--> Firebase["Firebase"]
                  Firebase <--> Android["Android 10+"]
                  RaspberryPi ---> 1.5inch_Oled["Zio Qwiic OLED Display (1.5 inches)"]
                  n1["Distance sensor (VL53L1X)"] --> RaspberryPi
                  n2["KEYPAD - 12 BUTTON (COM-15290)"] ---> RaspberryPi
                  RaspberryPi --> n3["ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY RED (COM-16916)"]
                  n5["RFID Reader (PN532)"] --> RaspberryPi
                  n4["Air Sensor (BME680)"] --> RaspberryPi
                  style RaspberryPi fill:#FFFFFF,stroke:#000000,color:#000000
                  style Android fill:#FFFFFF,stroke:#000000,color:#000000
                  style n1 stroke-width:2px,stroke-dasharray: 0