Gozo: AR Rideshare that Connects Rider

Project Description

Partnered with BMW Designworks to explore the future of rideshare services where augmented reality and autonomous vehicles can transform passive travel into meaningful interactions. Our team pitched our idea, Gozo, an autonomous rideshare service that encourages social connection through features like collaborative AR trivia games, campfire-style seating, and revisiting shared memories afterwards in the app.

Problem

In today’s fast-paced world, busy schedules and constant distractions make it harder than ever for families to connect. We found during our research that 73% of adults prioritize family time but families only spend 53 minutes of quality time per day. We asked how might we reimagine commuting in autonomous vehicles into meaningful moments for social bonding?

Insights

By observing current rideshare experiences and researching family commuting behaviors, we learned that meaningful connection, shared engagement, and playful interaction are the core needs for families on the go. We also discovered that traditional rideshares like Uber and Waymo focus solely on efficiency—leaving emotional connection as an untapped opportunity. As the world moves toward autonomous vehicles, Gozo redefines the journey itself as a space for bonding, not just transportation.

Solutions

Gozo is an on-demand autonomous rideshare that reimagines rides as shared social spaces through augmented reality. This speculative experience replaces isolated screen time with landmark-triggered AR games that respond to real-world locations. Other features include a "rewind the ride" feature that allows riders to capture and revisit meaningful moments post-trip and phone-free incentives to encourage genuine connection between riders. By blending physical travel with digital play, Gozo envisions how future mobility could prioritize human interaction over convenience alone.