BestRides

Reliable Security for Travelers

The Idea

Mobile device connectivity has revolutionized how travelers get around while abroad. Ride-sharing startups like Uber and Lyft have ushered in the era of convenient ride-hailing services. However, like every other major technological advance, there are tradeoffs. Compared to a traditional taxi service, there is a relative lack of accountability for ridesharing workers.

While incidents like robberies and kidnappings are rare, they are still a possibility that consumers must consider. In this era of total digital interconnectivity, there needs to be a way to use these ridesharing app services while maintaining personal safety safely. Enter BestRides, designed to minimize the risks of ridesharing and traveling.

The software would function as an emergency beacon for its users. Its key ability would be broadcasting the last known location of a user to their friends and family if they did not check in with the Best Ride personal safety app upon arriving safely at their destination. This idea would depend on a bulletproof implementation, as users would rely on this personal safety app to keep them safe.

Features

Location & GPS

Quick and accurate location data

Social Media Integration

Share with friends and family

Personal Safety

Stay safe out there

The Process

BestRides most critical functionalities involved GPS tracking information and a panic button for the users. To accomplish this and offer an application with smooth performance and reliable service, native iOS and Android technologies were chosen (Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android). The BestRides app had some existing code that needed to be built upon and integrated with. That required an audit and research period in order to have any new native code work seamlessly with existing code.

Every major revision was submitted to our client in order to incorporate their feedback into the next revision. Through these developmental iterations, we honed the app and ensured that it met our client’s requirements.

Zco was exceptionally responsive to our requests. They have been happy to share their applied expertise and advise us when we had questions about the best approach to take to solve a problem or address an issue. Zco seamlessly added features to the app as our testing revealed the need for them.

– Greg Czarowski, Creator

The Results

The final app represents a dramatic leap forward at offering personalized safety for users traveling. By utilizing the latest location technologies and an accessible user interface, the software empowers people to use ridesharing and taxi services and travel without fear.

BestRides also has larger applications outside of individual users, including institutional and enterprise-level applications. “We see BestRides as a potential corporate benefit for companies looking to keep their employees safe while they are traveling,” says Czarnowski. “We also see it as a safety feature that colleges could offer to their students to keep them safer when traveling both on and off campus.” The possibilities for BestRides, GPS tracker and travel safety app, have only increased since its launch and we are proud to work on a project with public safety at the core of its mission.