A team from St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology and IIT Madras is simplifying Chennai's commutes with two apps, QPo Driver and QPo Shareride, designed to provide affordable, reliable share auto services for daily commuters
Published Nov 14, 2024 | 9:30 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2024 | 9:30 AM
Redefining city commutes with innovative share auto solutions
A team of tech-driven students from St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology and IIT Madras is simplifying Chennai’s bustling daily commutes through two apps, QPo Driver and QPo Shareride, specifically tailored for share auto services.
This innovative solution aims to address the growing need for affordable and reliable transportation options for daily commuters, particularly IT professionals and college students.
With Chennai’s congested roads, QPo’s tech-based approach seeks to bridge the gap between availability and accessibility in share auto services, enabling drivers to maximise their routes while helping riders reduce wait times and improve commute convenience.
Introduction of the app to drivers
The QPo Driver app is designed to optimise the driver’s route and maximise earnings by pinpointing high-demand areas and making pickups more efficient. With this app, drivers can locate waiting passengers up to five stops ahead, allowing them to avoid low-demand stops and focus on profitable routes. Additionally, the app’s live GPS tracking lets commuters monitor share auto locations, much like bus-tracking applications, adding to the appeal for riders seeking alternatives to crowded buses.
Amal Leon, one of the co-founders and a Computer Science graduate, shared the vision behind QPo to South First: “We created QPo to tackle a common issue for daily commuters. Our goal is to make it easier to locate and track nearby share autos, ultimately making daily commutes more reliable. This is especially crucial in cities like Chennai where people heavily depend on share autos for short trips.”
Amal’s daily commute inspired him to develop QPo Shareride: “The idea struck when I found myself constantly waiting for share autos without knowing their arrival times, leading to missed connections. We wanted to solve this for everyone who relies on share autos, ensuring that nobody has to experience those unpredictable waits,” he said.
The QPo Shareride app allows commuters to locate nearby share autos, make ride requests, and set up their “from” and “to” locations to plan their trips efficiently. The goal is to eliminate uncertainty by providing real-time updates, a feature that resonates well with frequent commuters.
Jaishankar JK, another co-founder, remarked to South First, “The idea stemmed from the uncertainty around share auto arrivals. Unlike buses or trains, share autos lack tracking, causing delays and dissatisfaction. Now, with QPo, riders can notify drivers of their waiting status and track their arrival. It saves time and makes commutes much easier.”
The app’s functionalities, such as the ability to request a ride from nearby stops, aim to reduce wait times and offer a seamless alternative to crowded buses or delayed share autos.
The development team comprises graduates like Amal Leon and Jaishankar JK from St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, along with Asfaq Jalal, a final-year student at IIT Madras. Alongside them are ten interns from St. Joseph’s who assist in enhancing the app’s features. The team consists of Asfaq Jalal, Amal Leon, Jaishankar, Mano Vikram, Katta Rohith, Swetha Bharathi M, Vikram, Mithun Kumar N, Abi Rahul and Adithya M.
Asfaq Jalal emphasised the need for a reliable solution: “As lifelong commuters, we realised the gap in accessible shared rides. Share autos are affordable and frequent but unpredictable. We wanted to change that with QPo, aiming to make commuting smoother for everyone.”
The app also benefits from institutional support. Dr. Dafni Rose, Head of the CSE department at St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, has been instrumental in supporting the team from incubation to recruitment. This backing has been crucial for the project’s development and expansion plans say students.
Mano Vikram, a team member, expressed excitement about the app’s potential to reduce wait times and improve accessibility for all users. “It’s not just an app but a tool to help commuters gain control over their travel.”
Some of the team members
For Amal, the app offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly when a share auto is arriving, helping him better plan his commute. “QPo is invaluable to me personally because it saves time and offers a clear solution to an everyday issue,” he noted.
Swetha Bharathi M, another team member, highlighted the value of QPo for affordable commutes: “QPo is designed to serve those who need reliable rides every day, without stress or guesswork about availability.”
Team member Adithya M told South First, “Our goal with QPo was to create a solution that makes commutes stress-free. I recommend it for anyone who wants an affordable and hassle-free option that they can rely on every day.”
Mithun Kumar N, an intern, believes that QPo can bring significant change to the everyday lives of Chennai residents: “With QPo, we’ve brought accessibility to shared rides right to the user’s hand. It’s a game-changer for the city.”
Abi Rahul, another team member, explained how QPo’s mission of convenience drives his dedication to the project. “We want people to enjoy easier travel options, knowing they’ll reach their destination on time.”
The QPo team is looking toward the future with plans to scale its coverage throughout Chennai and eventually expand to other Tier 1 cities where share autos are widely used. The team envisions QPo becoming an indispensable resource for city commuters, with improvements in app features and user experience high on their priority list.
According to Katta Rohith, an intern working with QPo, “Our next steps include adding features like in-app chat and fare predictions. We’re aiming to set new standards for safe, affordable, and efficient city travel.”
Vikram KM echoed this sentiment, saying, “Working on QPo has shown me the impact of solving real transportation issues. This app has the potential to transform daily commutes, making them easier and more efficient for everyone.”
As the QPo team continues to refine the app and respond to user feedback, the young developers hope that QPo will one day become the go-to option for daily city commutes, offering a smoother, stress-free ride experience for every Chennai commuter.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
