The entrepreneurial spirit has sparked in numerous individuals with the emergence of Uber like apps in the market. As an increasing number of people rely on apps for their needs, they have become the most convenient means to establish one’s own business entity.
What is UBER?
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Uber, a startup originating from San Francisco, has fundamentally transformed not just the taxi sector but the entire service industry. The key to Uber’s triumph is straightforward: it introduced an intelligent, user-friendly communication system connecting riders and drivers. Furthermore, it was readily available to anyone with an iPhone or Android smartphone, making it accessible to a wide audience. This app not only streamlined the process of booking a taxi but also provided real-time tracking capabilities for users to monitor their ride’s progress.
Uber’s remarkable success in a relatively brief period has prompted entrepreneurs and businesses to engage in serious contemplation. People are actively brainstorming strategies to attain a level of popularity and success similar to Uber’s. Nonetheless, they quickly recognized that duplicating Uber’s model was not cost-effective, leading them to consider the prospect of creating an Uber-like app instead.
The Uber Technology
Before we explore the intricacies of creating apps similar to Uber, let’s first examine how Uber operates.
Any person in need of transportation can easily access the app and submit their request. The app transmits this request, complete with pickup and drop-off location details, to the nearest available driver. The driver then has the option to either accept or decline the ride.
The drivers could be individuals with cars who desire to provide pickup and drop-off services through a structured application-based system.
If the initial driver declines the ride request, it is automatically redirected to the second-closest driver, and this process continues sequentially. When a driver accepts the ride initially, they proceed to the pickup location to collect the rider and transport them to their destination. Following the completion of the ride, both the driver and the rider have the opportunity to rate and review each other.
Behind the scene technology
Launching such complex applications is not easy. It involves the development of the client as well as the server. Such applications require a central server which can:
- Perform complex computations like commissions subtraction, expected arrival time, calculation of cost etc
- Oversee multiple user interactions e.g. driver and passenger
- Have data storage functions
- Think logically like a business
If you really want your app to succeed you have to ensure that the technology used to develop the app is latest, whether it is for iOS or Android. The iOS-based app is developed using iOS SWIFT Technology supported extensively by Apple Company. Similarly, the Android app is developed using Native Java supported extensively by the Google Company.
The on-demand taxi service is dependent heavily on various frameworks and APIs for online payments, navigation, and communication. Google Map’s API’s are used for maps, geolocations, and paths, although the facility to integrate Waze maps is also available as an alternative to Google Maps. The Stripe Payment Gateway has been integrated into payments, Twilio for text messages, and push notifications are sent via Apple Push Notifications Service for IOS apps and Firebase Cloud Messaging for Android apps. Transactional emails will send via mailgun integration.
The client apps are actually a partnership between two apps – a driver/supplier app and a passenger/demand app. Both apps have their own set of features.
Common features of driver and passenger apps
- REGISTRATION
The app offers to Sign up and sign in the facility. For drivers, there is the additional feature of verification and approval of profiles before the final registration process will complete.
- EDITING OF PROFILE DETAILS
Both drivers and passengers should be able to edit their personal details as and when required.
- MATCHING
There has to be a function that allows a passenger to connect automatically to the nearest driver. The driver has to accept the ride in about 30 seconds after which it will automatically forward to the second nearest driver.
- NAVIGATION The GPS technology is the heart of any location-based app. It also enables the fares to calculate based on the distance being traveled, along with the estimated time of arrival.
- NOTIFICATIONS Important notifications sent via email, text messages or push notifications.
Other Uber like Apps Features
- Calculation and Display of fareBoth the driver and the passenger know the estimated fare in advance. The server calculates actual fare, by studying parameters such as the distance between the pickup and drops off point, traffic, type of car, fuel cost etc.
- Payments
Uber technology designed to accommodate a cashless system of payment. As soon as the ride will complete, the payment will automatically deduct from the registered mode of payment. Online payment providers like Stripe can easily integrate into the mobile apps and they provide powerful APIs. In case you are thinking of getting an uber like app, then ensure that it also supports all the major credit cards like Master Card, American Express, and Visa that optimized for mobile, web and in-app purchases.
- Feedback
To maintain an exceptionally high level of service, passengers and drivers should be provided with the facility to rate and review each other. Drivers with low ratings will find it difficult to get a fare, whilst passengers with low ratings will find it difficult to get a ride. Everyone can see Passenger feedback.
The ratings provided by both will give an indication of the strengths and weaknesses of your business and where there is room for improvement.
- Payment/Booking History
The facility to view details of their previous trips to driver/passenger name, date and time of travel, type of car etc should be available for both the driver and the passenger.
- Cancellation
Both drivers and passengers should have the facility to cancel a ride. Also, You may wish to install cancellation charges.
The Admin Panel
The web-based admin panel should act as the engine of the whole system. It manages the whole system including the drivers, passengers, back-end system, requests, transactions, views the movements of drivers and passengers, report generation etc. It also manages the finances.
What will it cost to develop your own Uber like apps?
To develop an Uber like app means developing two apps and a web-based admin panel. Therefore your cost will include:
- Design
- Android and iOS app development (A driver and passenger app for each platform)
- Web development
- Back-end development
- Project management
- Quality assurance
App developing takes time and includes around 5000 hours of back-breaking work. The hourly rate varies between $20 to $150, sometimes even more. This brings your total cost to be between $100,000 to $750,000. Therefore it is important that you do your groundwork too before choosing the company that will develop your app.
However, if you do some serious research, you will get companies who will develop your app for as little as $2000 and give you some freebies with your app too. If you are planning to buy from such companies then you must ensure that they are offering:
Installation, configuration, and launch of your uber like apps along with:
– A free lifetime license
– A white-labeled solution
– Customization of one language and currency of your choice
– Support for minor bugs
– 24/7 support anytime, any day.
Are you ready to launch your Uber now? Create Uber like apps that will be as good as Uber and revolutionize the on-demand industry.