HackUSF 2025
Have you ever spent precious time wandering the library during finals week, desperately searching for an empty seat? Or struggled to find a quiet corner in a busy office when you need to focus? Instead of being productive, you end up wasting valuable time.
<span style="color:green; font-weight:bold;">BullSpace</span> transforms the chaos into clarity by helping you locate the perfect study spot instantly.
BullSpace is a comprehensive study hub that integrates:
• Real-Time Library Seat Updates:
See a live map of your library with up-to-the-minute seat availability.
• Weekly To‑Do List:
Sync your academic tasks directly from the Canvas Instructure API.
• Focus Timer:
Use our Pomodoro timer to boost productivity during study sessions.
• Instant Notifications:
Sign up for and receive alerts when your favorite study spots become available.
• Direct Access:
Seamlessly connect to the USF library booking website.
• Fun Interaction:
Tap the BullSpace bull logo to play an adorable cat sound!
We built BullSpace using a modern tech stack that includes *JavaScript, **HTML, **Python, **Flask, and **Azure. We integrate data from *JSON files, the *Canvas Instructure API, and *Firebase for real-time updates.
Our approach was to simulate live CCTV footage using still photos. We compared an image of an empty library with subsequent images and employed Microsoft Azure's People Detection ML to determine which seats are occupied. These results are then updated in real time in our Firebase database, keeping the library map always current.
As first-time hackers, our journey was filled with challenges and triumphs. We tackled our biggest hurdle—learning Azure—head-on. This project not only enhanced our technical skills but also deepened our understanding of real-time data integration and user-centric design.
We're just getting started! In the near future, we plan to expand BullSpace with exciting new features, including:
• Enhanced Real-Time Data:
Integrate IoT devices or more advanced computer vision techniques to further improve the accuracy of seat occupancy tracking.
• Personalized Study Recommendations:
Leverage more Canvas data and machine learning to provide custom study suggestions based on individual class schedules and habits.
• Community & Collaboration Features:
Add social features such as study group formation, peer-to-peer messaging, and shared booking notifications.
• Voice & Chatbot Support:
Implement voice commands and an intelligent chatbot to help users quickly find study spots or check their weekly to-do lists.
Stay tuned as we continue to refine and build upon BullSpace to make studying smarter and more efficient for everyone!