Future Friday: CarshareAR on Smart Glasses Offers a Transportation Solution
Owning a car a thing of the past with CarshareAR
Car sharing apps are popular in urban centres. Like digital rent-a-car services, users locate available vehicles using a smartphone app. However, whether you’re paying through a subscription or by-the-minute, the system isn’t perfect. CarshareAR on smart glasses could fix many of the problems faced by car sharing users.
READ: How quickly will Gen Z adopt smart glasses?
After all, more users means more competition for vehicles. Since it’s not cheap owning a vehicle, millennials in urban centres rely on Car2Go or SnappCar to get them from A to B. With sky-high insurance and gas prices, many are forced to choose between car and home ownership.
The process is simple enough. Users find available cars using their smartphone app. If a car’s within walking distance, they hit ‘reserve’ and make their way to the vehicle on foot. Then, users type in a code or swipe a card at the vehicle and enter.
Despite challenges in North America, carshare companies like ShareNow are popular in urban centres
Credit: Fortune
Leave that phone in your pocket
However, reaching a reserved car isn’t always easy. For starters, weather presents a major hurdle. Constantly referring to a smartphone in the rain isn’t ideal.
Moreover, looking for your car during rush hour is dangerous. The need to rely on one’s phone for directions should be avoided on busy city streets from 5-7pm.
Ultimately, these issues could be fixed with smart glasses. CarshareAR could make finding your car much easier in a few ways:
They could provide real-time directions to your reserved car. No need to take your eyes off the sidewalk or side street to navigate.
Lenses could broadcast the nearest available vehicle. You could then reserve using voice commands. The Vuzix Blade is equipped with Amazon Alexa.
There would be no need to look at a map. Key info like walking distance, fuel levels and directions would be broadcast.
Unlocking a car could be done through voice recognition. Trying to unlock a car in winter using numb fingers isn’t enjoyable.
Finding your carshare with a smartphone isn’t exactly intuitive
Credit: VectorStock
Evolving an industry with carshareAR
Today, over 1,000 cities offer car share services. Moreover, the industry will reach $12 billion in value by 2024.
Granted, the departure of industry leader ShareNow from North America is a stumbling block. However, competitors are expected to fill the void.
Ultimately, the service presents an innovative transportation solution for the middle-class. In major urban hubs, owning a car isn’t financially viable for most.
As a result, car sharing apps are expected to increase in popularity. Soon, carshareAR could make the process safer and more efficient.