(01)
ABOUT THE CLIENT
KDDI Japan is one of the country’s largest telecommunications providers, partnering with Mazda to explore new opportunities in connected mobility. In collaboration with the automotive brand Mazda, they set out to explore how a carmaker could move beyond selling vehicles and into mobility services. The vision was to prototype a Mazda branded ride share platform that matched the experience of global players, but with a higher-end feel and unique connected-car insights.
(02)
WHY THEY APPROACHED US
Mazda and KDDI wanted to prove that a complete ride share ecosystem could be built quickly and tested within Mazda’s own corporate HQ. The challenge was to deliver not just an app, but an end-to-end system. This included a rider app for booking trips in real time or in advance. As well as a driver app for managing shifts, rides, and ratings. All integrated with an admin interface for managing fleets, drivers, and telemetry.
The standout idea was integrating IoT devices into the cars, giving managers visibility into driving habits, speed, braking, acceleration, to encourage safer, more accountable rides.
(03)
WHAT WE DID
Working closely with Mazda and KDDI, we built the systems that enabled everything from booking a ride to monitoring it on the road.
On the customer side, we developed rider and driver apps with features like real-time and scheduled trips, in-app chat, trip ratings, and full localisation across English, Thai, and Japanese. Behind the scenes, we integrated plug-and-play IoT devices that connected through the car’s universal OBD port and streamed live data such as speed, velocity, and braking directly to the platform.
KDDI provided the network and IoT backbone, while Mazda supplied the brand and vehicles. Our role was to bring all these pieces together into a reliable prototype.
(04)
WHAT WE FOCUSED ON
Building a ride share prototype that worked in real time, reflected Mazda’s brand, and introduced IoT as a differentiator.
• A complete rideshare ecosystem with rider, driver, and admin apps.
• IoT integration using universal OBD devices compatible with most cars.
• Driver behaviour tracking through live telemetry, speed, braking, acceleration, to encourage safer rides.
• Passenger-first features like on-demand booking, car selection, chat, and trip ratings.
• Multi-language localisation across English, Thai, and Japanese for regional viability.
• On-road validation to prove the concept worked beyond the lab.
(05)
THE RESULTS
The proof of concept showed how Mazda could extend its brand into mobility. By combining rider and driver apps with IoT-powered insights, Mazda and KDDI validated the business case for a premium ride share platform and laid the groundwork for future development.
Full ride share platform delivered in 3 months
On-device telemetry proven in real vehicles
Business case validated and internalised by KDDI for next-stage development
