uber app – APP reDesign with privacy features
This project is part of my personal design challenge. Instead of creating a completely new version, I focused on building upon what already existed and making it stronger.
How might we design an enhanced Uber experience that simplifies group rides, personalizes comfort settings, and strengthens safety, thereby empowering riders with greater trust, convenience, and control on their journeys?
My Role: UI/UX Developer
Skills: Branding, UI/UX Design, App redesign
Tools: Figma, Photoshop, Affinity
Duration: 3 months
Objective & Overview
Design Objective and Key features that made through research
The objective of this project was to explore ways to enhance the Uber experience by extending its existing ecosystem with features that improve convenience, personalization, and safety. Instead of redesigning the platform, I focused on identifying meaningful opportunities where Uber could evolve naturally without disrupting its core flow.
Key enhancements include Split Payments (simplify fare sharing by allowing riders to split costs with two or more friends directly in-app), Ride Customization (empower users to personalize their trip by adjusting preferences such as driver talkativeness, music volume, and comfort settings), and Safety Notifications (provide peace of mind by automatically notifying trusted or emergency contacts when a ride begins).
These ideas aim to strengthen user trust, comfort, and satisfaction while seamlessly integrating into Uber's current design language.
Inspiration
What inspired this project
As a frequent Uber rider, I often noticed gaps in the current experience. For example, when riding with friends, we usually discussed how much easier it would be if the fare could be split directly in the app instead of manually paying each other back. Similarly, during rides, I found myself wishing for options like adjusting the driver's talkativeness or music volume to make the trip more comfortable.
Another key insight was around ride-sharing updates. Many riders, including myself, would manually message friends or family on WhatsApp to say 'I'm on my way' or share ride details. What if Uber could automatically send a trusted contact a notification stating: 'Phaneendra is riding with Uber from Point A to Point B in car [Model], license plate [XYZ]'.
This feature would not only improve safety and peace of mind but also act as subtle surrogate advertising—boosting confidence and engagement among Uber's user base.
Wireframes & User Flow
Some great learning moments:
Working on the Uber enhancements has been a journey of exploration, iteration, and user-focused design. The project grew from addressing simple ride frustrations to tackling a broader set of user needs — from group coordination to personalization and safety. This evolution was guided by direct engagement with riders, whose insights proved invaluable in shaping features that feel intuitive, useful, and empowering.
The philosophy of user-centric design has been at the core of this project. From the start, I invested time in understanding riders' goals, pain points, and everyday behaviors. This empathetic approach not only informed design decisions but made the creative process highly rewarding.
Ultimately, the joy came from crafting experiences that genuinely improve how people ride with Uber — giving them control, comfort, and confidence every step of the way. This project reinforced the power of placing users at the heart of design and showed how small, thoughtful features can create meaningful impact.
Thanks for reading!
but please reach out if you have any feedback or thoughts to share🤍