OTO: Your Ultimate Way to Book, Ride, and Master City Travel!!

BuildBit engineered OTO’s urban mobility platform, blending AI ride optimization, FlexRide, and Pay Your Way in 4 months.

IndustryTransportation, Mobility
Project durationMarch 2024 - June 2024
CountryIraq
Team6 members
Technologies
FlutterFlutter
Node.jsNode.js
MongoDBMongoDB
FirebaseFirebase
AWSAWS
About the project

OTO is a next-gen urban mobility platform revolutionizing transportation in Iraq through its smart, user-centric ride-hailing app. Designed for speed and simplicity, OTO connects passengers with a trusted network of verified drivers, offering safe, efficient, and hassle-free travel across bustling cities. The app combines cutting-edge GPS technology with real-time traffic optimization, enabling seamless bookings, exact pickup tracking, and instant ride matches. Features like FlexRide (choose economy, premium, or group vehicles), QuickSave Favorites (store frequent destinations), and Pay Your Way (cash, card, or mobile wallets) cater to diverse needs. With 24/7 in-app support, live driver communication, and transparent ride dashboards displaying fares and routes, OTO empowers users to navigate cities confidently—whether commuting daily, exploring new areas, or racing to a meeting.

Project goals ⚡️
  • Deliver a seamless, real-time ride-hailing experience with GPS tracking and traffic optimization.
  • Ensure passenger safety through driver verification, in-app SOS, and transparent ride dashboards.
  • Cater to diverse needs with flexible vehicle options (FlexRide) and payment methods (Pay Your Way).
  • Optimize driver-partner efficiency through dynamic pricing and route recommendations.
  • Scale across Iraq’s urban centers while maintaining service reliability and user trust.
Challenges 🏔
01Navigating Iraq’s complex traffic patterns and infrastructure gaps for accurate GPS routing.
02Balancing surge pricing during peak hours without alienating cost-sensitive users.
03Securing hybrid payment systems (cash + digital wallets) while preventing fraud, reconciling cash transactions.
Clients feedback
client-profile
Asad Al-MansooriCo-Founder & CEO of OTO
BuildBit didn’t just build an app—they built the future of Iraqi mobility.

As the Co-Founder of OTO, my mission was to redefine urban transportation in Iraq—a country where chaotic traffic and unreliable transit options plague daily life. We needed more than a ride-hailing app; we needed a solution tailored to Iraq’s unique challenges. BuildBit not only understood this vision but elevated it. From day one, Shandhen and the team treated OTO as their own. They immersed themselves in our cities’ rhythms, studying traffic patterns and user behaviors to design an app that’s both intuitive and revolutionary. Their developers integrated real-time GPS optimization to navigate Baghdad’s congested streets and built FlexRide to accommodate everything from solo commutes to family trips. The Pay Your Way feature, supporting cash and mobile wallets, was a game-changer in a market where digital payments are still emerging. What impressed me most was their agility. During testing, BuildBit’ project managers worked round-the-clock with our team to refine the driver verification system, ensuring safety without sacrificing speed. Their 24/7 in-app support framework and transparent fare algorithms built immediate trust with users. Today, OTO isn’t just an app—it’s a lifeline for thousands navigating Iraq’s bustling cities. To Shandhen and BuildBit: Thank you for turning our ambition into a tool that empowers Iraqis to move smarter, safer, and faster. You didn’t just code an app; you coded hope for a nation.

The process 🚧

OTO’s development blended local insights with cutting-edge tech through an agile, user-focused approach. Cross-functional teams—frontend developers, GIS engineers, and localization specialists—collaborated to address Iraq’s unique mobility challenges. Iterative prototyping and real-world testing refined features like FlexRide and Pay Your Way, while partnerships with local stakeholders ensured driver trust and route accuracy. The result: a scalable, reliable platform transforming urban travel in Iraq.

Stages 🎢
01
Research and Localization

Surveys and focus groups identified Iraqi commuters’ pain points: unreliable rides, safety concerns, and payment flexibility. Partnered with local transport unions to onboard verified drivers and map high-demand routes.

02
UI/UX Design & Prototyping

Designed intuitive interfaces for booking, live tracking, and payment flows. Prototyped FlexRide options and QuickSave Favorites, testing usability in low-network conditions common in Iraqi cities.

03
Backend & Real-Time Systems

Built GPS routing algorithms with real-time traffic data from HERE Maps. Integrated payment gateways (Zain Cash, Visa) and cash-tracking systems for hybrid transactions.

04
Safety & Verification Systems

Developed driver background checks, in-app SOS alerts, and ride-sharing dashboards. Implemented Arabic/English multilingual support and 24/7 chat with local customer service.

05
Testing & Localized Optimization

Conducted stress tests during Baghdad rush hours, optimizing app performance under low connectivity. Fine-tuned surge pricing models and driver incentives to balance supply/demand.

06
Launch & Scalability

Soft-launched in Baghdad with 500+ verified drivers, iterating based on user feedback. Expanded to Mosul and Erbil, adapting routes for regional infrastructure challenges.

Results
AI-Optimized Traffic Routing & Ride Matching

Deployed an AI-powered routing engine that analyzes real-time traffic, driver availability, and user preferences to reduce average pickup times by 65%. Features include dynamic surge pricing adjustments, instant ride matches for group travel, and predictive ETA algorithms. Increased driver efficiency by 40% and cut passenger wait times by half during peak hours.

Dynamic Fleet Management & Safety Suite

Built a geolocation-based driver verification system with biometric checks and real-time ride tracking. Integrated FlexRide vehicle tiering, anti-fare manipulation tools, and automated incident reporting. Reduced fraudulent bookings by 90% and enhanced user safety with SOS alerts and 24/7 in-app support, boosting rider trust and app retention by 55%.

Unified Payment Hub & User Engagement Dashboard

Launched a multi-payment gateway supporting cash, cards, and mobile wallets (e.g., Zain Cash, AsiaHawala), processed 250k+ transactions monthly. Added QuickSave Favorites for frequent routes and a ride history dashboard with fare breakdowns. Increased user engagement by 60% and streamlined driver payouts with automated settlement tools, reducing payment disputes by 75%.

Team composition 👨‍💻
Frontend DevelopersBackend DevelopersGIS EngineersUX/UI DesignersQA EngineersProduct ManagerDevOps EngineerLocalization Specialists
Technology stack ⚙️
Front-End
Flutter (iOS/Android), Provider State Management – Cross-platform mobile development and state management
Back-End
Spring Boot (Java), GraphQL, Node.js – Scalable server-side logic and API management
Database
MongoDB, Redis – Ride logs and real-time location caching
Maps & Routing
HERE Maps API, OSRM – Real-time traffic routing and optimization
Payments
Zain Cash API, Stripe, Cash Reconciliation Tools – Multi-payment gateway support
Cloud & DevOps
AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda) – Scalable cloud hosting and serverless functions
Safety Features
Twilio, Socket.io – SOS alerts and live driver-passenger chat
Analytics
Apache Kafka, Tableau – Real-time data streams and visualization
Security
GDPR-aligned data anonymization, local Iraqi data residency via AWS Middle East (Bahrain); AES-256 & SSL/TLS – Secure data protection
Authentication
Firebase Auth – Primary secure user authentication
Core features 💻
Choose Your Ride Class
Choose Your Ride Class
  • Select Vehicle Class: Choose from economy, premium, SUV, etc., based on your budget or preference.
  • Real-Time Availability: View pricing and availability for each vehicle category instantly.
  • Confirm Ride Type: Finalize your preferred ride before booking.
Quick-Access Saved Spots
Quick-Access Saved Spots
  • Save Frequent Locations: Store home, office, or favorite spots for faster bookings.
  • One-Tap Selection: Quickly pick saved locations during ride requests.
  • Edit Anytime: Add, remove, or update saved spots in your profile.
Live GPS Pinpoint
Live GPS Pinpoint
  • Exact Pickup Sharing: Share real-time GPS coordinates with drivers for accuracy.
  • Track Driver Route: Monitor your driver’s live arrival path.
  • Adjust Mid-Ride: Modify pickup/drop-off points during the trip if needed.
In-App Driver Chat/Call
In-App Driver Chat/Call
  • Direct Messaging: Text or call your driver securely within the app.
  • Share Pickup Details: Communicate specific instructions or requests.
  • No Personal Numbers: Resolve issues without sharing private contacts.
One-Tap Ride History
One-Tap Ride History
  • Instant Access: View all past rides with dates, times, and routes in one tap.
  • Fare Details: Check receipts or payment summaries for previous trips.
  • Rebook Easily: Repeat a route or driver with a single click.
Nearby Rides Finder
Nearby Rides Finder
  • Real-Time Availability: See active drivers in your vicinity.
  • Estimated Arrival Times: Get instant ETA for the closest rides.
  • Filter Options: Sort nearby rides by vehicle type or driver ratings.
Upfront Ride Details
Upfront Ride Details
  • Pre-Booking Transparency: See fare estimates, vehicle type, and license plate upfront.
  • Live Trip Tracking: Monitor distance and duration during the ride.
  • Post-Ride Summary: Receive detailed reports with fare, route, and driver info.
Pay Your Way
Pay Your Way
  • Flexible Payments: Choose cash, cards, or digital wallets at checkout.
  • Save Payment Methods: Securely store options for faster future bookings.
  • Split Fares: Divide costs with friends directly in the app.
24/7 Ride Support
24/7 Ride Support
  • Instant Help: Access in-app support for cancellations, refunds, or issues.
  • Safety Reporting: Flag concerns or discrepancies to the support team.
  • Guided Assistance: Get troubleshooting steps or feature explanations anytime.
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