Ypto hackathon

📆 2022-11-20

📍 VUB

banner of the hackathon

🚂 Hackathon with YPTO and Microsoft: Revolutionizing Belgian Railway IT 🚆

Introduction

On November 19 and 20, 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a hackathon organized by YPTO in collaboration with Microsoft, the IT company behind the Belgian railway system. 🚆💻 The event brought together tech enthusiasts, developers, and railway experts to brainstorm and create innovative solutions aimed at improving the railway system. Here's a recap of the exciting experience and the amazing projects that emerged from the hackathon.

The Event

Venue and Atmosphere

The hackathon took place on the Etterbeek campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a vibrant space filled with energy and creativity. From the moment we arrived, we could feel the buzz of excitement in the air. 🎉 The venue was equipped with all the necessary amenities, including high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and plenty of snacks to keep us fueled throughout the event. 🍕☕️

Kickoff and Team Formation

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the YPTO team, followed by an inspiring keynote speech , who shared insights about the challenges and opportunities in the railway industry. 🗣️ After the keynote I teamed up with an amazing group of individuals, including: @jari, @jarne and @Casper as team Hecate, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the table. 🤝

Sponsorship

The hackathon was sponsored by Microsoft, who introduced us to their new PowerApps platform. This platform enables users to create apps with low code, making it accessible for both developers and non-developers to build functional applications quickly and efficiently. 💡📱

The Challenge

YPTO's challenge for the hackathon was to develop innovative solutions that could enhance the efficiency, safety, and user experience of the Belgian railway system. 🚄 The challenge categories included:

  1. Passenger Experience: Solutions to improve the journey experience for passengers.
  2. Operational Efficiency: Tools to streamline railway operations.
  3. Safety and Security: Innovations to enhance the safety and security of the railway system.
  4. Sustainability: Eco-friendly solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the railway system.

Our Project

Idea and Inspiration

Our team, Hecate, decided to tackle the Operational Efficiency category by developing an application to replace a booklet currently used for the training of train managers. We were inspired by the need to make train manager training more efficient and fun. ✨ Our application included interactive learning tools such as quizzes and flashcards, aiming to transform the traditional training process.

Development Process

  1. Brainstorming and Planning: We started by brainstorming various ideas and settled on the concept of an interactive training application. We outlined our goals, assigned roles, and created a project plan. 📝

  2. Design and Prototyping: Using design tools and software, we created wireframes and prototypes to visualize our solution. This helped us refine our ideas and ensure everyone was on the same page. 📐

  3. Coding and Implementation: With our plan and designs in place, we dove into coding. We used Microsoft's PowerApps platform to build our solution, working tirelessly to bring our idea to life. 💻

  4. Testing and Refinement: After developing the core features, we conducted thorough testing to identify and fix bugs. We also gathered feedback from mentors and other participants to further improve our solution. 🛠️

Final Presentation

After two days of intense work, it was time to present our project to the judges. We created a compelling presentation highlighting the problem we aimed to solve, our solution, and its potential impact. We also showcased a live demo of our project, which was well-received by the audience and judges. 👨‍⚖️👏

Results and Reflections

To our immense joy, our team, Hecate, won the top prize in the "Experts" track! 🏆🎉 The judges were impressed by our innovative approach and the potential impact of our solution. Winning the hackathon was a testament to our hard work, collaboration, and creativity.

We won a trip to Microsoft's headquarters in Paris, and spend a weekend with the team in Paris

photo of the team in paris

The experience was incredibly rewarding, and we learned so much about teamwork, problem-solving, and the potential of technology to transform the railway industry.

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to YPTO and Microsoft for organizing this fantastic event and providing us with the opportunity to innovate and collaborate. 🙏 Also, a big shoutout to my amazing team members @jari, @jarne and @Casper for their hard work and dedication. This hackathon was an unforgettable experience, and I can't wait to participate in the next one!

Conclusion

Participating in the YPTO and Microsoft hackathon was an amazing journey filled with creativity, collaboration, and learning. It was inspiring to see so many talented individuals come together to solve real-world problems and make a difference. 🌟 Winning the hackathon was the cherry on top, and I look forward to seeing how the ideas generated at this hackathon will shape the future of the Belgian railway system.

photo of the team in paris

Stay tuned for future hackathons! 🚀🛤️

photo of the team in paris