Inspiration
Our inspiration for TapIt came from the potential of bus tickets, where a simple single-use ticket that would otherwise be thrown away (how wasteful!) can be configured to store information and interact with cell phones through Near Field Communication (NFC). We were intrigued by how this technology, often associated with expensive systems, could be repurposed and made accessible for everyday users. Additionally, while exploring networking features at Hack the North, we recognized the need for a more seamless and efficient way to exchange information. Traditional methods, like manually typing contact details or scanning QR codes, often feel cumbersome and time-consuming. We saw an opportunity to not only drastically simplify this process but also to reduce waste by giving disposable objects, like bus tickets, a new life as personalized digital cards. Our goal was to democratize this powerful technology, allowing anyone to easily share their information without the need for costly hardware or complex setups.
What it does
TapIt turns any NFC-enabled object, such as bus tickets, NFC product tags, or even your student card, into a personalized digital card. Users can create profiles that include their contact details, social media links, and more, which can then be written onto NFC tags. When someone taps an NFC-enabled object on their phone, the profile information is instantly shared. This makes networking, sharing information, and staying connected easier and more intuitive than ever. Just tap it!
How we built it
We used React Native and Expo to create a mobile app for Android and iOS. We used npm packages for NFC writing, and we used Flask to write a backend to create short profile URLs to write onto the NFC cards.
Challenges we ran into
We had issues with device compatibility and NFC p2p software restrictions. We also had trouble setting up an auth0 authentication system. It was very difficult to compile applications at first with React Native.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We learned a lot about mobile application development and React Native in a very short period of time. Working with NFC technology was also really cool!
What we learned
NFC/HCE technologies and mobile development were our main focuses - and we're proud to have created a product while learning about these things on the fly.
What's next for TapIt
Features to support a wider range of NFC-enabled tags! We want to create an ecosystem that supports quick contact exchange with repurposed but readily accessible materials.
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