Night Canteen H11

A streamlined solution for late-night hunger pangs.

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Problem Statement

As a student who stays up late, I often get hungry at night and head to the night canteen. However, long wait times, crowded queues, and inefficient processes frustrated the experience. This wasn’t just my problem; many students faced the same issue every night.

Recognizing this, I envisioned a digital solution to make the night canteen experience smoother and more efficient.

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Our Solution

Night Canteen H11 was designed to streamline the ordering process for hostel canteens, providing a seamless experience for both students and canteen operators.

Key Features

• Real-Time Order Tracking:
  Students can track the status of their orders in real-time, knowing exactly when to head to the canteen.

• Preparation Time Estimation:
  An algorithm estimates preparation times, allowing users to plan their pickups efficiently.

• Separate Applications:

  • Student App: Simplifies the ordering process and provides notifications about the order status.
  • Canteen Owner App: Manages incoming orders, tracks preparation times, and updates order status.

• Reduced Waiting Time:
  Students save 30-40 minutes daily by avoiding queues and unnecessary waiting.

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Tech Stack

• Programming Language: Java
• Backend: Firebase
• Mobile Framework: Android SDK

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Installation and Setup

Prerequisites

• Android Studio
• Firebase account

Steps

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/night-canteen-h11.git  

2. Open the project in Android Studio:

   • Import the project and sync Gradle.

3. Set up Firebase:

   • Replace google-services.json with your Firebase configuration file.
   • Update the Firebase project details in the app's code.

4. Build and Run:

   • Build the project and deploy the app to an Android device or emulator.

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How It Works

1. Students:

   • Place an order through the mobile app.
   • Receive real-time updates about order preparation and estimated pickup time.

2. Canteen Owner:

   • Receives orders instantly.
   • Updates the status as orders are prepared.

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Future Enhancements

• Payment Integration: Enable in-app payments for a completely cashless experience.
• Feedback Mechanism: Allow users to rate their experience for continuous improvement.
• Multi-Hostel Support: Expand the app's scalability to support multiple hostels.

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Contributing

We welcome contributions to enhance this project. Please fork the repository, create a new branch, and submit a pull request.