Navigation apps generally default to driving routes, but the Cowlines app focuses on getting users to their destination in the fastest way without a car. Developed by Greenlines Technology, the Cowlines app hopes to pull commuters out of cars in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike other navigation apps, Cowlines considers multiple modes of transportation at once, including ridesharing, public transit, and travel by foot.
The app currently displays three options for travel: the fastest route, the cheapest route, and the greenest route. All of the options are calculated by a proprietary method that measures the precise carbon footprint for each trip and offers routes that combine travel time and ecological impact. Greenlines also intends to sell its aggregated data to city planners to help improve local transportation.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Multi-modal Navigation
- Developing a navigation app that considers multiple modes of transportation provides opportunities for both startups and established players in the navigation industry to integrate new features and services.
- Green Transportation
- Creating apps and services that prioritize eco-friendly travel options presents an opportunity for transportation companies to appeal to the growing demand for sustainability.
- Data Aggregation
- The use of aggregated data to improve city planning and transportation infrastructure presents an opportunity for data-focused companies to capitalize on the growing interest in smart cities and infrastructure innovation.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Navigation
- Established navigation companies and startups can benefit from developing and integrating multi-modal navigation options.
- Transportation
- With the demand for eco-friendly transportation options increasing, companies in the transportation industry can benefit from developing and offering green transportation services.
- Data Analytics
- Companies specializing in data analytics and insights can benefit from offering services that aggregate and analyze transportation data to help improve city planning and infrastructure.
