Design Challenge - Pantry App

We're doing another HQ Design Challenge over the next two weeks. Feel free to join in!

This challenge theme is: companion app to a household appliance.

I'm bending the rules a bit and choosing a pantry as my appliance. For several reasons:
1) I was hungry
2) Grocery delivery services are gaining popularity
3) My food always expires because I forget about it

This app would:
1) manage food in your pantry, specifically food delivered through delivery/subscription services
2) tell you when food is expiring
3) allow you to easily reorder items
4) show consumption habits over time
5) show where food can be reordered most cheaply

There are challenges with the idea. Some of the bigger ones:
- Connecting with various API's (Amazon, Walmart, etc)
- What do users do when they've finished an item? Maybe swipe it away?

Some thoughts on the future of the pantry:
- Pantry doors could have scanners that automatically inventory items as they enter and leave
- Pantries could gauge detailed inventory by weight
- Voice controlled – e.g. "Just so you know, you're running low on rice and your clam chowder expires tomorrow"
- Sassy voice "Wow, you bought a lot of sugar. Do you want me to ration that for you?"

I'd love your thoughts and feedback!

Posted on Oct 9, 2015

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