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A breakthrough parking solution that revolutionizes drivers’ parking experience

BLE-powered parking assistant application with custom AI/ML algorithms.

ABOUT
the project

Client:

Parking Management Startup

Location:

Country flag

Austin, Texas, USA

Company Size:

20+ Employees

Industry:

Automotive

Technologies:

.NET

Bluetooth stack

Node.js

Realm

Xamarin Android

Xamarin iOS

A breakthrough parking solution that revolutionizes drivers’ parking experience through the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and custom AI/ML algorithms. This unique product became a result of Leobit’s innovative approach and deep engineering expertise.

 

The solution emerged into a successful SaaS platform for first-rate hotels, resorts, corporations, condos, office centers, shopping malls, and healthcare institutions across the U.S.

Quotation marks Quotation marks

Leobit was the only company that actually delivered what we needed.

CEO of a parking management startup

Parking app

CUSTOMER

Our customer is an ambitious U.S. startup aiming to take a completely unique approach to parking management. The client’s company offers services for improving and organizing the parking processes via self-created hardware and software innovation.

BUSINESS
CHALLENGE

The customer wanted to make a breakthrough in the domain of parking management by implementing a unique software that would ensure precise and automated communication between a user’s smartphone and a parking gate. This app would revolutionize parking management, but implementing such functionality was a complex task.

The main challenge was ensuring that a parking gate could automatically recognize a driver’s mobile device and accurately detect the vehicle’s position. The customer contacted over 20 vendors, but none could implement the solution effectively. The issue was that Bluetooth technology wasn’t designed for locating smartphones or vehicles. The customer urgently needed a team to solve this problem, and Leobit proved to be the perfect choice, thanks to our specialists’ innovative approach.

Why
Leobit

Unlike the more than 20 vendors the customer had previously contacted, the Leobit team was ready to tackle the challenge with an innovative approach. We used our deep engineering and math expertise, along with our strong experience in developing custom AI/ML algorithms, to devise a completely innovative system.

Our proposed solution was not only compatible with the customer’s equipment but also with a wide range of other management systems and technology integrations. The customer was also impressed by Leobit’s extensive portfolio, breadth of mastered technologies, and stellar reputation.

Parking solution project in detail

Project
in detail

The project involved thorough research and the stage of developing a unique app prototype. Later on, the client decided to expand the functionality of the app by turning it into a multifunctional SaaS platform for parking management.

The customer approached us with a request to create a Bluetooth-centered mobile solution that would efficiently interact with parking gates by opening the parking gate at an available parking space and charging parking payments without driver’s involvement.

Our team realized the challenges of implementing such a solution. In particular, we researched numerous ways for helping the system detect the position of the driver’s vehicle as precisely as possible. GPS was not an option due to its lack of accuracy, especially relevant in underground parking lots. We decided to center our approach around customly-configured BLE beacons and enhance its functionality with AI/ML algorithms.

We researched the market for suitable BLE adapters integrated into the beacons. Our team tested several types of such adapters. Ultimately, we decided to use a proprietary Bluetooth adapter integrated into a parking gate beacon. We configured Node.js drivers and created custom machine learning models that would help the adapters identify the position of a vehicle as precisely as possible. This would help us avoid situations where the wrong parking gate opens due to a misinterpretation of the vehicle’s location.

Upon training the ML algorithms and thorough testing of the app’s functionality, we achieved an unparalleled level of precision essential for efficient device-parking gate interactions. We also integrated the system with payment systems ensuring the parking fee is automatically charged from the driver’s account. As a result, the app’s prototype allowed a driver to enter an available parking space and pay for it without even unlocking their smartphone.

Upon developing the app’s prototype, we started to expand the solution into a full-fledged system with complex functionality. The customer decided to grow it into a SaaS application with significant outreach. That’s why we decided to go with a cross-platform development approach. The customer already had several mobile solutions based on Microsoft’s frameworks, such as .NET and Xamarin. So, Xamarin was chosen as a cross-platform development framework for the given parking management solution. Other features implemented by our specialists include the functionality for interactions between the vehicle owner and parking lot staff, as well as features for parking lot searches.

Parking app
project-in-detail

BLE Connectivity with Parking Gates

The solution uses Node.js-based drivers to connect to parking gates using BLE. This automates the process of vehicle entry to the parking space, as well as automatically charges parking fees from the driver's credit card. We used custom configurations to ensure that the app connects only with the gates of available parking spaces instead of interacting with all parking gates in the lot.

In order to ensure that the system identifies the nearest available parking space for the vehicle, we had to develop accurate vehicle detection mechanics. With custom AI/ML scripts, the solution can precisely identify the position of a vehicle even if it is moving. As a result, the process of entering the parking space is fully automated and does not require drivers’ involvement.

project-in-detail

Parking Lot and Space Search Functionality

Custom integration with a map ensures convenient searches for parking lots and available parking spaces in these lots. Once a user opens an app, it automatically offers information on available parking lots in the area.

The listing includes only parking lots of businesses and venues using this SaaS solution.

project-in-detail

Payment System Integration

The solution integrates with several payment systems and gateways, which ensures automated in-app payments. Once a driver leaves a parking lot, the app interacts with a parking gate and charges a fee corresponding to the price of a parking space and the time that a vehicle has spent in this place.

This level of automation helps both drivers and parking staff save their time.

project-in-detail

Valet Service

The app allows users to interact with parking lot staff. For example, a driver can request a staff member to deliver a vehicle to him or her on demand. In addition, this feature allows the user to check the status of one's vehicle and know how soon it can be delivered.

Technology Solutions

  • Revolutionary BLE-based mechanics powered with Node.js and AI/ML scripts for efficient interactions between a driver’s mobile device and a corresponding parking gate
  • Payment automation charging the parking fee even without drivers unlocking their smartphones
  • Cross-platform solution based on .NET and Xamarin
  • Map integration for parking lot space searches

Value
delivered

  • The status of a unicorn startup with a highly-demanded parking management system costing more than $1 billion as of 2024
  • More than $80 million investments and a merger with a global provider of logistics solutions after the release of a prototype
  • Solution to the most significant technical challenges that more than 20 companies believed to be insoluble
  • A unique BLE-powered solution that has transformed into a successful SaaS for different parking lots, venues, etc.