In Poznań, SOFTSWISS in collaboration with Smart City Poznań, held a hackathon for students and IT professionals on 23-24 May. This event aimed to provide an opportunity for students and young IT specialists under the age of 30 to showcase their skills and innovation.
A total of 8 teams competed against each other, comprising students from prestigious institutions such as Warsaw University of Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań University of Technology, Poznań University of Economics and Business, and Gdansk University of Technology, along with young professionals from IT companies.
With approximately 30 participants, the hackathon focused on the topic of ecology. The teams competed to create outstanding solutions that facilitates household waste segregation in Poznań. Each team had a tight deadline of 24 hours to brainstorm, create, and prepare their ideas for presentation.
“The city of Poznań, responsible for waste collection, is keen on encouraging residents to approach this issue responsibly. The technical solutions that the hackathon participants are working on can make waste segregation more attractive, potentially increasing interest in the subject across different age groups. Perhaps they can also provide insights on effective advertising strategies,” explained Michał Łakomski, Mayor’s Proxy for Smart City, Head of Digitalization and Cybersecurity Office at Smart City Poznań.
While the teams had the freedom to choose their own work format and schedule, they received professional guidance throughout the preparation process. Smart City Poznań experts, specialising in environmental education and the development of smart solutions for the city’s waste management, evaluated the teams’ ideas based on the genuine needs of Poznań. SOFTSWISS developers served as technical mentors, offering assistance in shaping the application or website’s functionalities.
Three winning teams received generous cash prizes from SOFTSWISS based on the results of their presentations. The evaluation criteria focused on the solution’s level of innovation, practicality, business value, and the jury’s understanding of it.
The first place and winning a prize of PLN 10,000 was dedicated to the project created by the PUTrequest team. They proposed a mobile application prototype that used a barcode scanner to accurately determine the appropriate container for disposing of different types of waste.
To demonstrate its functionality, the team members created 100 product mockups with barcodes and showcased examples using a bottle and an egg carton. By scanning the barcode, the application provides instant feedback, helping users avoid mistakes during waste sorting. Additionally, the app allows users to access municipal statistics on proper waste segregation and track the planet’s pollution reduction progress.
The second place and a prize of PLN 7,500 was awarded to the Checkers team. They suggested expanding the existing Smart City Poznań app by adding a ‘give it away – don’t throw it away’ section. The concept aims to encourage people to re-use not only clothing but also other items such as medicines and food. The team proposed setting up special exchange points where citizens can donate items they no longer need but others might find useful. Furthermore, the team suggested incorporating a chatbot feature in the app to assist with waste sorting, guiding users to the correct containers and suggesting nearby waste disposal locations.
The WWSS team secured the third place and received a prize of PLN 5,000. Their project involved teaching proper waste sorting through a search engine format. Users would enter the item’s name and be presented with a series of questions related to its characteristics. Based on the answers, the system would indicate the appropriate disposal method. The team also incorporated gamification elements into the development.
For instance, users would be shown the name of an item and, using corresponding colour-coded icons representing different trash cans, they would decide where to dispose of it. Correct answers would then direct users to a map of Poznań, displaying disposal sites such as Point of Selective Collection of Municipal Waste. This not only allows users to test their knowledge but also helps fill any gaps in understanding.
“We are impressed by the teams’ ideas and their responsible approach to participation. We fully immersed ourselves in the topic, conducted mini-research, and prepared extensively for the presentation. In just 24 hours, we had to accomplish a lot, but the most crucial aspect was presenting ideas that not only sound appealing on stage but can also be realistically implemented to make a positive impact on waste segregation in the city,” commented Alexander Samarin, Frontend Developer and one of the hackathon mentors.
SOFTSWISS, an international tech product company, expressed satisfaction with the hackathon’s results and the participation of talented individuals. The organisers have announced that similar meet-ups will continue to be held in Poznań, and they plan to expand the geographical scope of such events in the future.