Student projects/GSOC/Proposals

Open Food Facts https://world.openfoodfacts.org has been selected as one of the mentor organizations for the 2018 Google Summer of Code: https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/organizations/5282542639382528/

The next step is for students and us to work together so that students can build the strongest and most impactful proposals to submit for the Summer of Code program.

This page lists the key areas where we need the most help. You are of course welcome to propose other project ideas, and we are looking forward to discussing these ideas and yours.

Project ideas

Improve New Native Android and iOS apps

--> need a more powerful title

Why it's important: most of the data in the Open Food Facts database come from crowdsourcing through mobile apps: users scan barcodes of products and send us photos and data for missing products. We need Android and iOS apps that bring a lot of value to users so that we gain mass adoption, and that have powerful features to contribute photos and data as easily and quickly as possible.

Background: We currently have a basic app made with Cordova on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Work has started on native apps, but they are missing key features.

Key features needed:

Augmented reality and continuous scan

• Users need to be able to use the viewfinder of their camera to continuously scan for barcodes of products
• When a barcode is recognized, an overlay display key information (e.g. A to E nutrition grades), with a link to the full product page
• While the overlay is on, it needs to be possible to recognize new barcodes that come into view
• Stretch goal: recognize products without scanning barcode, using technologies like Pastec

Offline mode

• A small version of the database needs to be included in the app (at install, and then synched regularly)
  • All products, but only key data
• When scanning products, key data should be shown instantly, even if there's no network
• History of scanned products, and full data for these products should be saved locally on the device
• Offline contribution
  • While offline (e.g. in a store with no network), users need to be able to scan and take photos for lots of products
  • Photos should be sent when network becomes available

Personnalisation and recommendations

• Users should be able to provide data about them (age, sex, weight etc.) and their diet restrictions (e.g. allergens, vegan, religious) and preferences (organic, no GMOs, no palm oil..)
• This data needs to be stored locally on device, and not sent to Open Food Facts and 3rd parties
• Grade scan products based on this data
• Display product recommendations / alternatives that better match the user preferences