Parking problems solved by teen coders

Tuesday 11 October 2016

When is a car park, not a car park? When there are no parking spaces available.

Infuriating for drivers, it's enough to send anyone into steering wheel-thumping road rage. But not anymore - and all thanks to a pair of 12-year-olds, who have created their own app which tells motorists the occupancy levels of car parks in Jersey.

It’s such a “phenomenal” idea, the States have given it their thumbs up and it will be available to use for all motorists.    

The car parking app was developed at the second all-night uHack Jersey, youth Hackathon, which took place at the Digital Jersey Hub over the weekend, with almost 50 of the island’s most talented coding students taking part.

First prize went to Greta Chapman for her game using MicroBits, while second place was for the car parking app, created by Jacob Laity and Harry Baldwin. Third prize went to a retro games consul, developed using a Raspberry Pi by Tom Vernon and Sam Jule.

The students, ranging in age from 11 to 16, worked overnight from 16:00 Friday to lunchtime Saturday, developing their own coding projects. They then presented their ideas to a panel of judges and organiser, 18-year-old Benedict Lewis, said the second hackathon built on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

“We had an amazing range of ideas from websites and servers to games, apps and even wearable technology. It was great to see so many of those who took part in the first one coming back with improved skills and focused ideas.”

Infrastructure Minister Eddie Noel said he was astonished with the level of invention and the car parking app has the States’ seal of approval. 

“It is absolutely phenomenal what these young people have come up with and the hackathon has been a huge success,” he said. “We are definitely going to run with the car parking idea as it is so simple, but such a good idea. The app has even got a warning not to use it when you are driving. 

“It is heartening to know that so many students in Jersey are so gifted when it comes to developing digital ideas.”

The panel of judges included Ogier banking and tech lawyer Steven Meacher, Francis Pinel, JE3 and Education Minister Rod Bryans.

Assistant headteacher of Beaulieu Convent School, Mr Rory Smith, said the hackathon, the brainchild of Benedict Lewis, is now a firm fixture in the future.

He said: “It is only in its second year and already it is proving hugely popular. I think the students really enjoy it as it is a chance to stay up all night, eat pizza and get stuck into something which they love doing. 

“The results have been very impressive. The car parking app has caught the imagination and the other creations were also similarly breath-taking.”     

The kids were ‘locked in’ for the 20-hour event, with most staying up throughout the night. 

Ogier lawyer Mr Meacher said: “People always talk about the enthusiasm of young coders, but what struck me was the level of technical expertise and fluency of what they were doing.

"It’s a great sign for Jersey as a centre of technology if these kinds of skills are being developed at a young age. With all the talk about the gender divide in the tech and coding community, it was also great to see that the event was won by Greta, an 11-year-old girl, who came up with a game that utilised "micro-bit technology" which was elegant in its design, instantly appealing and immediately playable.

A video of the winning presentations and all 14 teams, will be on the Digital Jersey Hub YouTube channel.