A Globetrotter’s Perspective
Louis, Our COO, is a globetrotter who loves to rideshare. He’s used ridesharing apps all across Europe and North America, and he’s convinced that it’s the most rational way to improve our mobility and use our resources more efficiently. But there’s one big problem: these apps are dumb. They require users to manually input trip information, and drivers are bombarded with micro-decisions while navigating to their destination. In this post, Louis shares his thoughts on why interoperability is key to unlocking the full potential of ridesharing, and how it could improve his life as he travels from one city to another.
As someone who rideshares frequently, I believe that it’s the most rational thing to do to improve our mobility and use our resources more efficiently. It just doesn’t make sense to drive alone in my car with four empty seats when there are millions of other cars doing the same thing. I’ve used ridesharing apps all across Europe and North America, from Portugal to the Czech Republic, and from Vancouver to Halifax, and even down to Oaxaca. While the convenience of these apps is great, they’re still quite dumb.
The biggest pain point with these apps is that they require users to manually input trip information, including where they’re going, when they’re leaving, and where they’re willing to stop. As a driver, I’m constantly bombarded with micro-decisions, like accepting or rejecting new ride requests, and navigating to places I’ve never been before. It’s a stressful and frustrating experience that could be improved by making these apps smart and interoperable.
To unlock the full potential of ridesharing, we need to make these apps smart and interoperable. As a driver, I should only need to input basic information about my trip, like my departure time, destination, and available spots, and the app should take care of the rest. It should notify potential riders and suggest convenient meeting spots, leaving me free to focus on driving and enjoying the ride. By doing so, we can reduce the number of single-occupancy cars on the road, cut down on traffic congestion, and provide an affordable and accessible transportation option for people without access to private vehicles.
In conclusion, ridesharing is a fantastic way to improve our mobility and use our resources more efficiently, but we need to make these apps smarter and more user-friendly. Interoperability is key to unlocking the full potential of ridesharing and creating a seamless, stress-free experience for riders and drivers alike.
