ParkFlow – Smart Parking System

Have you ever found yourself stuck in traffic, circling endlessly for a parking spot? According to our research, the average person spends 20 to 30 minutes a day just searching for parking. ParkFlow was built to change that—giving drivers a reliable way to reserve and find parking with minimal hassle.

ParkFlow is a smart parking system designed to streamline the way we manage, reserve, and pay for parking. It helps both drivers and lot owners save time and money by introducing automation and real-time reservation into the process.

The project was created during the DPIT 2023 competition, which focused on teaching young people how to build and pitch startups. I led the hardware side of the project, developing the mechanical and electronic systems that make the smart parking blocks work.

The system revolves around a network of smart parking blocks equipped with mechanical lifters that raise when a spot is reserved. These blocks are controlled by embedded hardware designed and built from scratch.

Each block communicates with a central hub using LoRa, allowing for long-range, low-power wireless communication across large parking lots without relying on Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

A React web app interfaces with the backend server to allow users to reserve, pay for, and navigate to available spots. The same app also provides parking lot owners with access to analytics, payments, and spot management.

The development started with identifying the core user problems: long search times, manual payments, and poor visibility into available spots. We focused on designing a solution that would be both simple for drivers and powerful for operators.

I handled the entire hardware development pipeline—mechanical design, circuit design, and system integration—building a working prototype of the smart parking block with LoRa connectivity.

The team collaborated on building a functional demo system and a polished pitch for the DPIT competition, while also validating the solution with potential users and mentors.

ParkFlow won the Accenture Special Award at the DPIT Gala 2023 for its innovative approach to smart city infrastructure.

We secured 2nd place at Arena Urșilor, a Shark Tank-style competition in Brașov, judged by notable entrepreneurs like Bogdan Micu.

The project validated the power of combining embedded systems, full-stack development, and entrepreneurship—and marked an important milestone in applying technical skills to real-world urban challenges.

ParkFlow remains one of the most complete and collaborative systems I’ve developed—blending hardware, software, and business into a unified product.