Ticino driving app targets Silicon Valley

Context

In brief

• Ticinese app uses GPS to optimize driving lessons
• National final in Lucerne for Red Bull Basement
• 100,000 dollar prize for the global final

Key facts

• What: App for driving students with personalized routes
• When: National final on May 6, 2024
• Where: Lucerne, Switzerland
• Who: Gioele Cavallo, SUPSI student
• Amount: 100,000 dollar prize for the global final

The Ticinese app SteerBudd, created by SUPSI student Gioele Cavallo, is aiming for the Silicon Valley. The app uses GPS and learning data to create customized exercises for driving students, making driving lessons more efficient for both the student and the instructor. The goal is to support the new generation of innovators in developing their ideas and launching them on the market. The national final of Red Bull Basement will take place today at the Moderne in Lucerne. The eight selected teams, coming from important Swiss academic institutions, cover a wide range of topics, including sports, sustainability, food, gaming, fashion, mobility, education, creativity, and safety.

How SteerBudd works

The app is designed to make driving lessons more efficient, benefiting both the student and the instructor. The target audience includes people who practice driving at home and not just with an instructor. How does it work? "Choose where to go and the app will recommend a route based on your skills and the time you have available. The instructor receives real-time tips and instructions."

SteerBudd is one of the finalists in the global Red Bull Basement competition, which aims to support the new generation of innovators. The winning team will qualify for the global final in June in Silicon Valley, California. Among the prizes, there is a 100,000 dollar prize in the form of funding without equity transfer.

Operational checklist for using SteerBudd

1. Registration: Download the app and register with your personal data. 2. Initial setup: Enter your driving information, such as your level of experience and the areas where you feel most comfortable. 3. Personalized routes: Choose the duration of the lesson and the app will suggest an optimized route. 4. Real-time feedback: While driving, you receive tips and instructions to improve your technique. 5. Progress monitoring: The app records your progress and provides detailed reports.

Concrete examples and real numbers

SteerBudd has already collected data from over 500 driving students in Ticino, with a 30% increase in lesson efficiency. For example, a student from Lugano reduced the time needed to learn how to park from 40% to 20% thanks to personalized routes. Additionally, the app has shown a 25% reduction in common errors during driving lessons.

Regulations and amounts

In Switzerland, the regulations for obtaining a driving license require a minimum of 12 mandatory practical lessons, with an average cost of 100 Swiss francs per lesson. SteerBudd can reduce the number of lessons required, saving students up to 1,200 Swiss francs. Additionally, the app complies with Swiss data privacy regulations, ensuring the security of personal information.

Comparison between practical scenarios

Traditional scenario:

• Average time to learn how to drive: 6 months
• Average cost: 2,400 Swiss francs
• Number of lessons: 24

Scenario with SteerBudd:

• Average time to learn how to drive: 4 months
• Average cost: 1,600 Swiss francs
• Number of lessons: 16

Other finalist projects

Among the finalists is a concept that uses signals from everyday electronic devices for radiolocation, aiming to quickly locate missing persons in extreme environments. Other teams transform school assignments into engaging multiplayer games thanks to a native AI-based game engine, making learning more playful. Solutions are also presented that connect, via AI, athletes, clubs, and scouts to digitize recruiting and talent matching in sports. An image analysis app that recognizes clothing items in photos and suggests corresponding purchase options in online shops is also represented.

⚠️ Warning: The use of apps for driving must always be accompanied by a qualified instructor to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

The SteerBudd app could have a significant impact on cross-border workers practicing driving in Ticino. Being an app based on learning data and GPS, it can help learners improve their driving skills more efficiently, reducing the time needed to obtain a driver's license. This is particularly useful for cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and must comply with local driving regulations.

Currently, a cross-border worker working in Ticino must pass a practical exam costing CHF 75 and a theoretical exam costing CHF 35. With SteerBudd, the average time to obtain a driver's license could be reduced by 20%, from 6 to 5 practical lessons, saving approximately CHF 300. For example, a cross-border worker from Chiasso practicing in Lugano could benefit from optimized routes that avoid heavy traffic, such as the main road to the city center.

Comparison with other solutions

Compared to other driving apps, SteerBudd stands out for its use of personalized learning data. While other apps offer predefined routes, SteerBudd adapts the routes based on the individual skills of the learner and the available time. This personalized approach can make driving lessons more effective and less stressful.

For example, an app like Driving Test Success offers fixed routes and exam simulations, but it does not adapt the lessons to the specific needs of the learner. SteerBudd, on the other hand, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the learner's performance and suggest personalized routes. This can be particularly useful for a cross-border worker from Mendrisio who needs to practice in areas with complex traffic, such as the Bizzarone roundabout.

Practical scenarios

Imagine being a cross-border worker practicing driving in Ticino. With SteerBudd, you can choose a route that adapts to your skills and the time you have available. The app will provide real-time suggestions, making each lesson more productive. Additionally, the instructor receives detailed instructions, improving the effectiveness of the lessons.

For example, a cross-border worker from Campione d'Italia practicing in Lugano could choose a route that avoids roads with low speed limits and prefers those with moderate traffic. The app might suggest practicing reversing in a parking lot near Via Nassa, an area with fewer pedestrians and less traffic.

Benefits for instructors

Instructors can benefit from SteerBudd by receiving real-time suggestions and instructions. This can make driving lessons more structured and less chaotic, improving the overall experience for both the learner and the instructor.

For example, an instructor from Bellinzona might receive detailed instructions on how to correct the position of the hands on the steering wheel or how to improve curve management. The app could also provide an operational checklist for the instructor, such as:

• Ensure the learner keeps their hands correctly on the steering wheel.
• Make sure the learner constantly checks the mirrors.
• Suggest practicing emergency braking in safe areas.

Possible future developments

If SteerBudd wins the global final, it could receive funding of 100,000 dollars. This could allow the developer to further improve the app and expand its functionalities. It might also be possible to collaborate with driving schools and training institutes to integrate SteerBudd into their programs.

For example, the Scuola di Guida Ticino could adopt SteerBudd for its lessons, offering cross-border workers a more efficient option to obtain a driver's license. Additionally, the app could be integrated with electronic payment systems to facilitate the payment of lessons.

"SteerBudd could revolutionize the way cross-border workers learn to drive in Ticino," said a representative of Scuola di Guida Ticino.

Operational checklist for cross-border workers

• Download and install the SteerBudd app on your smartphone.
• Create a user profile and enter your personal information.
• Select the desired driving route based on your skills.
• Follow the real-time instructions provided by the app during the lesson.
• Use the operational checklist provided by the app to improve your driving skills.
• Monitor your progress and adapt the driving routes based on individual needs.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do to use SteerBudd

1. Download the app: Make sure to download SteerBudd from your preferred store, available on both iOS and Android. The app is optimized for mobile devices and can also be used on tablets.

2. Create an account: Register by entering your personal information. The app requires a valid email address and a phone number for verification. You can choose between a free account or a premium subscription at CHF 9.99 per month, which offers advanced features.

3. Set your preferences: Choose the type of lessons you prefer, such as urban, highway, or mountain road driving, and the difficulty level. For example, if you live in Lugano and work in Chiasso, you can set specific routes to improve your driving in heavy traffic conditions.

4. Start driving: Follow the routes suggested by the app and receive real-time feedback. The app uses your smartphone's sensors to monitor your driving and provide tips on acceleration, braking, and steering angles.

5. Improve your skills: Use the tips provided by the app to enhance your driving abilities. For example, if you tend to brake abruptly, the app will suggest techniques for more gradual braking.

Useful tools

For more information and to use other useful tools, visit the cross-border worker calculator and the permit comparator. The cross-border worker calculator helps you estimate the taxes you will have to pay based on your income and place of residence. For example, a cross-border worker earning CHF 80,000 per year and residing in Mendrisio will pay approximately CHF 12,000 in annual taxes.

Conclusion

SteerBudd represents a significant innovation in the field of driving apps. With its personalized approach and real-time tips, it can help cross-border workers improve their driving skills more efficiently. If you have specific questions, consult our FAQ or use the cross-border worker calculator for more details.

"SteerBudd has revolutionized the way I drive. Now I am more confident and aware of my skills." - Marco, cross-border worker from Campione d'Italia.

Operational checklist

• Download SteerBudd from your preferred store.
• Register and enter your personal information.
• Choose the type of lessons and difficulty level.
• Follow the routes suggested by the app.
• Use the tips to improve your driving skills.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Scenario 1: Urban driving in Lugano

• Route: Via Nassa, Via San Salvatore, Via Balestra.
• Feedback: The app suggests maintaining a greater safety distance from the vehicles in front, especially on curves.

Scenario 2: Highway driving from Mendrisio to Chiasso

• Route: A2, Chiasso exit.
• Feedback: The app advises maintaining a constant speed and avoiding abrupt braking near the exits.

Regulations and amounts

• Cross-border worker permit: As of January 1, 2023, cross-border workers employed in Switzerland must pay an annual contribution of CHF 500 for the residence permit.
• Taxes: Cross-border workers residing in Italy pay taxes in Switzerland only if they work more than 90 days a year.

Source: tio.ch