What is CareCar?:
Mobile application available for iOS and Android (Google Play Store, Apple App Store). It allows users to easily schedule rides for their loved ones as well as track and/or watch the ride while in progress. Our drivers are medically-trained, background checked and trained to assist in the safe transportation of individuals who have special needs or are unable to drive themselves.
Concept:
Giving parents, caregivers, and medical outpatients a safe ride sharing option—and peace of mind! Users can schedule a ride through our app, and then use the app to track and/or watch their loved one during the ride. Our medically-trained drivers are there to help the passenger and safely transport them anywhere they need to go.
Potential competitors:
Uber, Lyft, Veyo, Kango and other ride sharing apps. Click here for an in-depth analysis.
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- Uber – offers peer ride sharing, food delivery and bicycle sharing system
- word of mouth was essential to their brand awareness
- Lyft – offers car rides, scooter and bicycle sharing system
- first debuted in an animated short film, but use social influencers and celebrities to promote
- Veyo – full service NEMT broker that helps people to and from their medical appointments. Primarily serving Medicaid/Medicare Advantage patients.
- Kango – service that allows parents to schedule rides and childcare for kids ranging from preschool to high school
Project Tech Specification:
The App is built with html and Java and includes specific features which integrate with the following technologies:
1) Geolocation tracking: The CareCar app for iOS uses the Apple CoreLocation framework to locate a user’s device. The CoreLocation framework lets us define geographic regions and monitor the vehicle’s movements as it crosses defined boundaries so we can time text alerts with driver proximity as well as know where drivers are when working. Geolocation for the Android version of the app uses Google’s Location APIs.
2) Providing driving directions to driver: For Apple devices we used MapKit to provide driving directions on a map within the app. Registering the app as a routing app then makes directions available to the Maps app and all other mapping software on a user’s device. Android routes and directions are made possible by the Google Maps Android API.
3) Integrating with mapping software: To integrate driver location within the app so users can see the vehicle move in real time we implemented Google Maps for both iPhone and Android versions of their app.
4) Push Notifications and SMS: After you order a ride, the driver accepts the ride, during ride pick up and after ride drop off we send the person who ordered the ride notifications. You can receive these messages as SMS or push notifications (you can set your preferred method in the settings). Our text messages are powered by the Twilio telecommunications provider. To implement push notifications in the iOS app, we used Apple Push Notifications Service, and for the Android app we used Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM).
5) Payment integration: Since our system is cashless we use a cashless payment system. Users can pay via debit or credit card, or use a promo code. Our app is fully PCI compliant, securely stores user data and uses PayPal’s Braintree for accepting major credit cards (like American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover), debit cards tied to checking accounts, and prepaid cards. Passengers may also use PayPal (for iOS and Android users), Apple Pay, and Google Pay.and bitcoin. We also use PayPal’s Card.io service for entering your credit card info into the app. The credit card scanning on Card.io allows you to input credit card information by simply holding up your credit card in front of your phone’s camera.
6) Mobile video watching: For mobile video watching and communicating with the passenger we use a proprietary software application that is pre-installed on our driver’s equipment and accessible by users via the app. It functions similar to a Facetime call. This software will be patented.
Impact:
- Giving parents, caregivers, and medical outpatients a safe ride sharing option
- Giving drivers a safer work environment and the opportunity to learn valuable medical skills
- Relying on word of mouth from both drivers and customers, we can aim for increasing followers on social media, app downloads and increased brand awareness.
Growth Prospects:
- Investors
- Continue Word of Mouth from Drivers and Customers
- Entering Medical/Insurance world
Pros:
- Safe ride sharing service
- Drivers will be medically trained
- Allows the working adult to have a peace of mind knowing that they have a reliable resource to get their parents to and from appointments
- Cashless system – can connect to bank account/bank card
- Third parties allowed to help pay also
- Puts the customer in control of decisions
- Special requests/needs for the driver to know about passenger
- Option to see what is happening in vehicle [premium option]
Cons:
- Competition with competitors who have experience
- Idea can be copied by those who have a larger company
- Haven’t accommodated for elderly demographic that isn’t tech savvy
- The potential of bigger company such as Uber taking idea and capitalizing more
- Privacy concerns and regulations
- Cameras in cars
- Legality
- Insurance/liability concerns
- Locations in which this ride sharing service would be available