Inspiration
The inspiration for this project was to make The Tool Library more automated, accessible, and actionable for its users. The goal was to create a system that provides fair and equitable access to tools for everyone in the community.
What it does
The project, featuring "Tracy the ToolBot," is an automated system that allows users to interact with The Tool Library via SMS. Users, like "Joe" in the example, can inquire about the availability of tools such as an electric lawn mower. If a tool is unavailable, the AI-powered chatbot, Tracy, offers to place the user on a waitlist, and is an advanced ai agent that can notify the member about the tool status and can go into the waitlist Azure backend to get its required information for the user. The system also includes a comprehensive dashboard for staff to manage the entire inventory of tools. This dashboard displays statistics like total tools, availability, and the number of waitlisted items. It provides detailed views of waitlists for specific items, including user information, status, and relevant dates.
How we built it
The system is built on a foundation of several key technologies:
Database: Microsoft Azure SQL DB is used to manage customer, tool, and waitlist data.
Artificial Intelligence: The AI agent, Tracy the ToolBot, is powered by OpenAI's API to provide quick, personalized, and proactive assistance. The AI can access existing data on the website.
SMS & Communication: SMS functionality is handled through Clicksend to make the waitlist widely accessible.
UI Design: The user interface was designed by Lovable.dev.
Challenges we ran into
Our initial project scope was overly ambitious, aiming to develop a full coded solution. However, given the time constraints, this proved unfeasible, and significant time was spent on researching implementation details that ultimately could not be applied.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
The team is proud of creating a system that:
Automates processes: It automates check-outs, waitlist status updates, and availability inquiries.
Ensures equitable access: The platform provides fair and equitable access for all users.
Syncs data seamlessly: It syncs the MyTurn platform with the waitlist, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
What we learned
The project demonstrated the feasibility of integrating widely-used technologies to improve service delivery. SMS chatbots are a common tool in the service industry, and The Tool Library already had access to the necessary OpenAI API, making this a practical solution. The AI can also easily be integrated with existing website data.
What's next for Tracy Toolbot
The future development plans for Tracy the ToolBot are focused on scalability and expansion. The use of cloud-enabled and scalable technologies like MS Azure DB and the OpenAI API allows for potential growth beyond the current Buffalo location. Key performance indicators for future evaluation will include user adoption rates and lending turnover. A communication campaign involving flyers, website announcements, newsletters, social media, and volunteer training is planned to support this growth.
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