Moovit leverages AR technology, launches Way Finder to help guide users

Moovit has released Way Finder, a feature that uses augmented reality (AR) to better locate bus stops and stations and increase users’ confidence while using public transit.

Developed based on user feedback, Moovit is using the power of AR to display digital directions on top of real-world images and help point the way for users to easily get to their destination.

Commuters that aren’t intuitive with directions may often find themselves walking the wrong way at first when navigating an unfamiliar place, such as when exiting the subway. Many people simply find themselves at the wrong bus stop on the other side of the street.

Such was the case with a loyal Moovit user who left her feedback on a humorous Facebook page, garnering lots of attention: “A feature that I need for Moovit: Cross the street, stupid. This isn’t the right side.” Taking this feedback seriously during Moovit’s 24-hour hackathon, dubbed Moovithon, Moovit developers created the beginnings of Way Finder.

Now rolling out to iOS users around the globe, Way Finder places digital directions and signs on top of the camera view to make it even easier to locate correct bus stops, subway entrances and overall extra guidance. Future capabilities include pointing users toward taxi pick-up points and shared scooter locations.

Using Way Finder is easy. Once a user inputs a destination and selects a suggested route, they then tap on the “Navigate” button to start live directions; tap on the blue Way Finder button; and hold the phone up to the surrounding environment for Way Finder to begin.

In Way Finder mode, the top half of the screen displays icons and signs overlaid on a live camera view, with left and right turn arrows to indicate direction. The bottom half of the screen shows where a user is on the map from a bird’s eye view. When the phone is faced down, the screen will switch to map view only.

“Listening to our users about their in-app and urban mobility experiences is really important to us at Moovit,” said Yovav Meydad, Moovit’s chief of growth and marketing officer. “Getting around in an unfamiliar place can be quite frustrating and inconvenient. We are so proud that our team took what began as a very creative hackathon project to solve a users’ needs to new heights and really drove Moovit’s evolution to the next level. Way Finder makes getting to any destination a better experience, and further helps us in our mission to simplify urban mobility.”

Moovit utilizes several layers of guidance, empowering users to get to their destination with confidence and peace of mind. Once a user selects a route, they can click on “Navigate” to enter the live directions screen where they will be provided with step-by-step navigational instructions. Users can choose to turn on “Get off alerts” to be notified before it’s time to get off at the bus or train stop. Now, with Way Finder, users will be able to better orient themselves when looking for their stop or station.

Every six months, Moovit hosts its Moovithon, a 24-hour company event where all employees stop regular activities and form teams that hack and build new user experiences. There are no rules or limitations and any idea is welcomed. Approximately 20 percent of Moovithon projects ultimately become Moovit features. At the last Moovithon, the team that created Way Finder placed first for its creation.

This marks the start of Way Finder rollout to iOS users. Users with the latest iOS version of Moovit can enable Way Finder in the app settings screen under ‘Labs’. Moovit is kindly asking for user feedback in order to help optimize its capability.