FutureCities 2017 Hackathon
About
BinChicken
They are much maligned, but the Bin Chicken has adapted to the new environment and thrives on the food we waste.
BinChicken is a concept that adapts the way we use technology, so that communities can thrive and we reduce waste.
It has two broad functions:
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Platform for managing groceries and other retail goods at a community level.
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Dashboard for consumers to see the provenance, ethical and eco footprints.
It relies on buy-in from Retailers to reach scale, but this gives even the laziest person better control over the goods they buy. And we think there’s enough reward in it for retailers for them to adopt it.
How it Works
Barcode Readers on iPhones are common, but requires customers to individually scan the items or scan the receipt, too much work! In most retail interactions in Australia involve bar code scanning at point of sale. Instead of a paper receipt the buyer can ask for a virtual receipt, which can be instantly transferred to their phone [via generated QR code…?] . If nothing else that’s paper saved. And combined with pay by phone technology it could be done as a single step.
Straight away this gets added to the Shoppers Inventory.
With almost no effort at all the Shopper has an Inventory of goods purchased.
What can The Shopper do with this list:
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Firstly they can delete items (everyone is entitled to a private life 😉)
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Share some or all of their Inventory with their family or community group.
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Set alerts for when necessities are below certain inventory level (ie Toilet Paper)
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Create community shopping lists so items can be bought in bulk.
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Shout-outs to community members if you’re missing an ingredient or have something you aren’t going to use.
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Potential for product reviews
Could be linked to Smart devices such as refrigerator, Google home.
All trades will be recorded using blockchain so there is no dispute about ownership of Inventory items.
Not everyone will expect payment for helping out a neighbour with a bottle of milk, but that option will exist.
Improving Community Ties
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Family units have better inventory control
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Shared living communities (i.e. University students, retirement communities) can feel more confident about equitable communal living (i.e. no disputes over who’s milk it is)
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Micro communities (say apartment blocks) can use the app to minimise need to go down the shops for single items, or can give away goods they don’t need.
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Food Banks can put call outs when they have specific food shortages or excesses.
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There will be less waste, less time wasted going to the shops to buy single items, less cars on roads. More time spent getting to know your neighbours.
About Food Safety
Shoppers might rightfully be concerned on how their food is being handled. There will be a set of protocols the users need to adhere to, e.g. perishables needs to be picked-up at a reasonable time, goods need to be refrigerated, stored and handled responsibly.
