We are conducting on-going research into the development of a Peer to Peer (P2P) car sharing platform for Car owners in the community (Owners) and those that do not own cars (Borrowers). This page presents an overview of what we are working to achieve what we have learned and achieved so far, and where we are headed next.
By making more efficient use of existing cars, we can dramatically reduce the number of cars needed to serve our community’s transport needs. This unlocks space and money for more high-value uses. Sharing cars also provides low-cost mobility for people in a range of areas where traditional car sharing is not viable. Our aim is to maximise vehicle utilisation, creating economic and environmental benefits.
The barrier that all peer-to-peer car share platforms around the world have faced until now is how to provide a cost-effective way to turn existing, under-utilised vehicles into functioning share cars. There are two key parts to the challenge:
Providing access to vehicles in a way that is secure, does not require Owner and Borrower to meet, and is linked to the online booking platform and
Providing a total integrated system that includes booking, car locating, key access, payment, tracking and analysis, and that verifies the identity, trust, safety and compatibility of community members.
Car Next Door’s model is more efficient, cost-effective and secure than any of the others that are currently in use. We are actively developing technology and products to provide all the following in the one system: lockbox key transfer technology, GPS car locating and logistics, listing and booking, driver identification, driver tracking, usage and reporting.
We are also working to improve the convenience of using the service (including tracking, online pre-trip cost calculation, trip analytics), improved security, and integrating lockbox technology and booking functionality.
Our patent-pending electronic lockbox system is a key element of how our model of peer-to-peer car sharing works. It gives Borrowers and Owners safe, secure and measureable access to vehicles. The aim of this project is to create a community car sharing platform that can be trusted to safely and appropriately match cars not in use with Borrowers who need a vehicle, thus enhancing existing car use.
Due to the complex nature of the project, we've experimented with various prototypes and offerings and continue to experiment with new software and hardware in order to determine the optimal make up of the platform. As a result, we're constantly developing new knowledge around access, security and functionality required in the platform. We spend considerable time developing a further understanding of car sharing requirements to improve the way the model and platform function.
This process requires constant research and development in order to maximise the collaborative power of new innovations entering the market and for Car Next Door to be in a position to provide an effective and unique platform for Owners and Borrowers. Research continues to be carried out with significant user testing for both Owners and Borrowers. Car Next Door will continue to develop new and innovative features of the platform whether it be oftware, industrial design or a combination of both.
We have a long way to go towards our mission of building a world-leading peer-to-peer car sharing platform – but we are proud of what we have achieved already:
We are working towards creating a sustainable peer-to-peer car sharing platform. To do this, we need to continue to research and innovate in a number of areas:
Make customer service more efficient and effective, while maintaining a great service for our members, by:
Attract and onboard Owners and Borrowers more easily, quickly and cheaply, by:
Reduce the incidence and cost of damage to vehicles, for the benefit of the whole platform, by:
Other areas we are planning to focus our development efforts on include:
We partner with Caltex to make it simpler and easier for our members to access low-cost local cars.
We partner with Hyundai to create a sustainable future for transport. Learn more about our collaboration.
We proudly support Greenfleet's carbon-reducing reforestation projects. Learn more about our carbon reduction policy.
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