Carpool Connect (2021)
Carpool Connect (2021)
Rideshare application exclusively for university students with the aim of reducing carbon emissions
Created using Android Studios
Coded in Java, Javascript, and Kotlin
Submitted to Florida Hacks with IBM Hackathon
Overview
Carpool Connect is an Android app for Florida university students who want a way to save money when traveling or don’t want to travel long distances alone. Carpool Connect is a carpooling app that focuses on a community-based way to travel together with other students traveling to the same place as you, saving both of you money and reducing your carbon emissions. Unlike other “carpooling” services, our product caters specifically to university students so that they may have a comfortable and efficient trip.
Carpool Connect allows users to input their starting and ending locations and matches them with potential users that are driving to similar spots. The core idea revolves around carpooling to save on car emissions while also saving users money compared to driving themselves. Additionally, by catering specifically to university students, this creates a safe environment as every user has to be authenticated with their university email.
Features
Google Maps API
We have implemented Google Maps API to allow users to input their starting point and destination. Once they have done so, this information is used to create a “Trip Post” which will be shown to other users nearby looking to drive to the same destination. We also use this information to determine how much the Rider should pay the Driver for gas depending on how long the drive is and taking into account how much of their travel is on highways versus normal roads. A user can input a general name of a place, such as “University of Florida”, or they can input a specific address.
PayPal API
To ensure safe and reliable payment between Riders and Drivers, we have also implemented a PayPal API to allow for in-app payments. One can pay directly through their PayPal account, scan their card to automatically input the card information, or manually input their card information. Using the PayPal API ensures that if a Driver does not follow through with picking up the Rider, the Rider will be fully reimbursed.
User Accounts and Profiles
In order to use the app, every user must create an account. In order to create an account, they must provide their full legal name, .edu email, phone number, and age. Their profile will reflect all of this information, with the option to add a profile picture.
Trip Posts
Drivers who are going on trips can post open invitations for their rides, which include the vehicle they will be driving, their destination address, their departure address, and when they will be leaving.
Requests to Join Trips
Before a Rider can join a Driver’s trip, they must send a request to the Driver, who can briefly review the Rider’s profile and rating before deciding to add them to the ride.
Car Identification System
This algorithm is used to retrieve MPG, Emissions, and Engine Displacement from the user’s provided Make, Year, and Model of their car.
Rider Gas Price Algorithm
This algorithm automatically determines the amount the Riders need to pay to the Driver for gas by taking into account the number of Riders, the emissions of the car, and the mileage.
Demo of Carpool Connect Main Features
Demo of Integrated PayPal API for In-App Payments
Documentation
Basic Wireframe of User Interface
System Context Model
View the official Hackathon submission by clicking on the link above!
Team:
Project Manager: Maia Gervasone
Scrum Master: Yonas Bahre
Development Team: Nicolas Perez & Hunter Rafferty