Carpooling App – Connect people. Empower work.
Let’s remove barriers to employment together.
The Carpooling App is a smart mobility initiative by Groupe Actual designed to connect temporary workers with relevant job opportunities. By simplifying daily commutes through efficient and collaborative ride-sharing, the app aims to foster social inclusion, reduce transport costs, and contribute positively to economic growth.
Developed as a collaborative project during a career transition into IT, this solution encompasses backend API development, geospatial queries, and a user-friendly cross-platform mobile application designed to meet the specific needs of temporary workers.
The Challenge : A significant barrier to employment
The challenge we faced was multifaceted: building an accessible and trustworthy service while safeguarding user privacy and providing accurate real-time location-based features. This was particularly challenging given our limited prior experience in mobile app development and geospatial computations.
The Solution : A collaborative mobility service
Our application empowers both drivers and passengers to connect seamlessly. Drivers can propose trips with available seats, and passengers can search for nearby rides matching their work schedules and locations. This creates a socially beneficial, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective transportation alternative.
Demo:
Project Presentation:
We also made a presentation of our project in English at the end of our curriculum. You can watch it directly below:
About the Project
This project was developed in 2025 as a year-end capstone initiative in close partnership with Groupe Actual and the Holberton School Lille. It offers a practical response to a major social issue: the mobility barrier that often limits access to employment for temporary workers.
The application focuses on essential user flows, allowing users to choose a role (driver or passenger), perform pre-matching based on proximity, and request shared rides. Real-time routing and walking distance calculations are powered by OSRM, enabling an accurate and user-friendly experience.
The project was presented at the end of the academic year and earned an exceptional final grade of 99.45%.
Technology Stack
The Carpooling App leverages a combination of robust, scalable technologies to ensure reliability, performance, and maintainability:
- Backend: PHP with Laravel for structured REST API development.
- Database: MySQL with spatial extensions for efficient geolocation-based matching.
- Routing Engine: OSRM (Open Source Routing Machine) for real-time route and distance calculations.
- Frontend: React Native with Expo for cross-platform mobile development (iOS & Android).
- DevOps: Docker for containerized environments and streamlined deployment workflows.
- Quality Assurance: Postman for thorough end-to-end API testing.
The Code
As this project was developed in collaboration with Groupe Actual, the full source code is not publicly available and remains the intellectual property of the company.
However, you can find a project presentation here: Github Repository
Team
The project was built by a dedicated two-person development team, working collaboratively through agile methodologies including sprint planning and client demos.
Future Outlook
Looking forward, the Carpooling App aims to expand beyond its pilot scope, incorporating richer features and broader user engagement, including:
- Enhanced user communication tools beyond basic calls, such as in-app messaging.
- Integration with additional enterprise and transportation services for seamless workflows.
- Advanced analytics and machine learning to optimize matchings and optimize routes dynamically.
- Continuous improvement of UI/UX based on user feedback for greater adoption.
- Scaling the solution regionally and nationally to maximize social impact.
These ambitions set the foundation for a sustainable, impactful platform dedicated to improving mobility and employability.