Road traffic significantly impacts daily lives and consumes valuable time. This paper focuses on the detection of free parking spaces, particularly in crowded areas like campuses and malls, which typically have designated parking areas. We developed a system which utilizes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that operates at high altitudes to avoid obstacles. The flight process comprises three steps: (a) takeoff and analysis of target coordinates, (b) navigation between designated spots with brief stops, and (c) return to the starting point for landing. The detection system operates independently of the navigation system and is trained to specify parking spaces and recognize empty or “occupied” ones. It employs deep learning techniques and YOLO-tiny algorithm that is trained on the Darknet framework. While the drone’s flight system was developed in a simulation environment, it is capable of real-world application. Real-world data were used to train and test the parking detection system and the results collected were highly encouraging.

The “Neighborhood Babysitters” project, initiated by the Greek Ministry for Social Cohesion and Family under the General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights, aims to provide home care services for infants and toddlers aged 2 months to 2.5 years. This paper presents the design principles and architecture of a sophisticated Management Information System developed to manage the entire process, from the application of beneficiaries and curators to their payment. Leveraging interoperabilities provided by the Interoperability Center, the MIS addresses the challenges of bureaucratic hurdles in digital governance. The paper outlines the roles of users, the MIS architecture comprising six systems and nine subsystems, and the main workflow stages of the application process. Additionally, it discusses interoperability issues with other e-government MISs and presents usage statistics since 2022. The MIS, developed with event-driven architecture and utilizing state-of-the-art tools, offers a robust framework for managing the Baby and Toddler Home Care Service, providing valuable insights for developers of similar systems.