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iThumb: a Response to DIYcity Challenge #2

Submitted by John Geraci on 12 December 2008 - 5:00pm to DIYcity Main Group.

A response from Richard Pauli to DIYcity Challenge #2. Richard writes:

I have been promoting this ridesharing idea - described on http://ithumb.org/

I have not shared it widely enough, but everyone who hears it, gets it and knows it would work. Personally, I think it is both technically possible and inevitable because this is the type of service any user would want - fast and trusted.

Thanks for holding this challenge... and thanks for considering this notion.

Richard Pauli
Seattle

Richard has a lengthy write-up of this ridesharing proposal at http://ithumb.org, which you should check out for the full play-by-play. Here's the basic breakdown:

Proposed Domain monikers: WiRide.com & iThumb.org

For Pedestrians: Use Your wireless GPS/WiFi device to rideshare with a selected Driver on your route.
For Drivers: Use Your GPS/WiFi car based internet connection to rideshare with the closest passenger.

Requirements: a WiRide account, a GPS/WiFi location mode enabled wireless device - (And Web access with application)

1. Register with WiRide or iThumb - trusted and secure required (photo, registration, fingerprint, etc)
2. Logon and tell us where you are going or Where you want to go.
3. See on your device a map of your route, a list of fellow travelers on your route and time that you can connect with them.
4. You each select your ride / rider
5. You each see a meet up location and time
6. You each verify identities before connecting.
7. Ride
8. End ride and your transit is logged. Your government may wish to reward you for helping with transit.

Richard adds: Real-time, trusted ridesharing using GPS/WiFi location tracking is inevitable.

15 Dec16:13

The problem still remains:

By Anonymous

The problem still remains: density/critical mass of users. There is no technological solution to this problem. There are social and legal/governmental solutions potentially.

The number one solution that would drive people toward ride share is peak hour HOV lane restrictions. Such restrictions have resulted in casual car pooling or slugging in the DC/Metro area and in the Bay area where Carpoolers get access to restricted lanes.

Increasing tolls for single occupancy vehicles, and increasing dedicated HOV lanes would likely result in more people looking for carpooling/ridesharing options, and then technology could take it from there.

15 Dec16:14

posted by Gregory Heller

By gregoryheller

I posted that comment , but didn't realize i was not logged in

16 Dec14:27

Check Out Avego

By gregoryheller

http://www.avego.com

Avego Shared Transport (TM) is a new and exciting shared transport solution that aims to expand the public transit system to run on every road.

Any car that travels while occupied only by a driver is inherently inefficient. And yet, 85% of the time, that's how cars travel. With our use of iPhone GPS technology, web services and your participation, we can fill up those empty seats.

Avego Shared Transport makes shared transport simple:

* Avego enables drivers to reduce their costs by making it easy for them to find passengers with whom they can share their vacant seats on any chosen journey for a fee.
* Avego also makes it easier for anyone to find and book an inexpensive shared transport journey between their chosen locations.

Avego Shared Transport is an easy-to-use, inexpensive and reliable way of enabling drivers and commuters to:

* save money
* easily access comprehensive real-time passenger information
* travel in greater convenience
* reduce congestion
* reduce pollution

22 Dec19:13

Carticipate

By vikas sapra

Gregory,

Have you also seen
Carticipate? Once I purchase my iphone in a few days, I'll start tinkering with these services. However, I imagine there are not enough active users to actually facilitate matches.

Can you point to any services that are dense enough to become true leaders in the field of ridesharing?

23 Dec16:53

Re: Carticipate

By John Geraci

critical mass seems to be the main thing that is dogging all of the attempts at ridesharing out there.maybe the DIYcity approach should be a lightweight ridesharing aggregator app - aggregate all of the various ridesharing programs into one central location for maximum density.  allow anyone to plug their app into it, sites keep their own users, but they can connect with other users on other sites.
?