Product Design: Design An Uber App For People With Disability
Uber Product Design Interview : Design An Uber App For People With Disability
How to Answer Product Design Questions?
Here is a step-by-step framework, you should follow while answering Product Design interview questions during your interview:
0. Pay close attention to the keywords in the question.
1. Describe the Product. (P)
2. Ask clarifying Questions to trim down the scope of the question. (Q)
3. Define the Goal you want to achieve. (G)
4. List the User Segments and select one segment to focus on. (U)
5. List and prioritize the Pain Points for that segment. (P)
6. List out your Solutions to solve those pain points. (S)
7. Evaluate all the solutions and prioritize them. (E)
8. Define Metrics to measure the performance of the solutions. (M)
9. At the end, Summarize your answer (S)
Let’s get started with the solution (remember to follow the framework),
First, clarify with the interviewer which Uber product you are referring to here. (Uber Rides, Uber Eats, Uber Delivery etc.)
A) For the purpose of this question, assume the Product to be Uber Ride.
Step 1: Describe the Product
Once you are clear with the question, start by explaining your understanding of the product. Cover the following things about the product,
What does the product do?
Who uses it?
How are they using it?
What pain point is it solving for the users?
Uber is a mobile application-based platform that connects passengers with drivers, enabling on-demand ridesharing and transportation services. Using the Uber app, users can request a ride from their current location to a desired destination, and a nearby available driver will respond to the request, pick them up, and take them to their destination. The entire process, from booking to payment, is seamlessly managed within the app.
Uber's mission is to “provide affordable, safe, and reliable transport that also creates job opportunities and a dependable income for drivers.”
Uber can be accessed from a desktop web, mobile web, and mobile app (Android, IOS).
Some of the major competitors of Uber are Lyft, Ola, Rapido, Didi Chuxing, Grab, Gett, Go-Jek etc.
Now that we are clear on the product description and the interviewer is also onboarded.
Let’s move on to the next step: Ask Clarifying Questions.
You: “Before we move on, I have a few clarifying questions I want to ask. Shall I proceed?”
Step 2: Ask clarifying questions
What type of disabilities should we prioritize?
A) Consider all types of disabilities, including mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and cognitive disabilities. However, we may need to prioritize based on impact and feasibility.
Are we focusing on riders, drivers, or both?
A) Both. Riders with disabilities need accessibility features for a seamless booking and riding experience, while drivers with disabilities may require adaptive tools to participate as service providers.
Should we modify existing Uber services, or are we creating a new service?
A) Its upto you.
Are we considering only personal rides, or should we include other transportation needs (e.g., healthcare, public transit integration)?
A) Primarily personal rides for now.
What regions should we focus on?
A) This should be a global initiative, but we may prioritize markets where Uber already has an established accessible transport offering or where demand is highest.
Should we design for long-term accessibility solutions or focus on quick, impactful improvements?
A) Prioritize quick wins while also planning for long-term infrastructure improvements.
What are the main constraints we should keep in mind?
A) Consider regulatory requirements around accessibility and cost implications of new features.
Should we focus on mobile, web, or both?
A) Mobile-first (iOS and Android) since it is the primary way users book rides, but the web version should also be accessible for users with assistive technologies.
Step 3. Define the Goal you want to achieve. (G)
Uber’s mission is to “reimagine the way the world moves for the better.” This includes making transportation more accessible, reliable, and inclusive for people of all abilities.
Our goal is to make Uber the most accessible ride-hailing platform for people with disabilities by improving the booking, riding, and driver experience. This will enhance mobility, increase ride completion rates, and improve user satisfaction.
To measure the success of this initiative, we will track:
Increase in ride completion rate, ensuring more people with disabilities successfully book and complete rides.
Step 4. List the User Segments and choose one segment to focus on. (U)
1. Demand Side (Riders - Users with Disabilities)
These are the primary customers who require accessible transportation.
Wheelchair Users
Require vehicles with ramps or lifts
Need trained drivers for assistance
Require securement systems inside vehicles
Visually Impaired (Fully or Partially Blind) Users (Chosen Segment for Focus)
Need accessible app interfaces.
Require assistance in locating the vehicle
May need verbal communication during the ride.
Hearing Impaired or Deaf Users
Require text-based communication with drivers
Need visual notifications for updates
Would benefit from sign language-trained drivers
Cognitively or Developmentally Disabled Users
Require simplified booking processes
Need a safe and predictable ride experience
Caregiver integration for monitoring rides
Elderly Individuals with Limited Mobility
May use walkers, canes, or require extra assistance
Need patient and understanding drivers
Flexible waiting time to accommodate slower movement
2. Supply Side (Drivers & Service Providers)
These are the individuals and services that facilitate accessible transportation.
Drivers with Accessibility Training
Regular drivers trained to assist disabled riders.
Provide guidance to disabled users and help them board.
Drivers without Accessibility Training
Regular drivers who doesn’t have training to assist disabled riders.
Chosen Segment: Visually Impaired (Blind) Users
Criteria of selection:
Impact on Users
Size of Market
Urgency of Need
Frequency of Use
Visually impaired riders face unique challenges in transportation, making it critical to design an accessible and inclusive ride-hailing experience for them.
Addressing their needs improves accessibility for a broad group of users and enhances safety.
Technology Readiness (e.g. Existing AI-powered voice assistants can be integrated for a seamless experience).
The features can benefit other disabled users (e.g., elderly riders or those with cognitive disabilities).
By focusing on visually impaired users, we can design an inclusive, scalable, and high-impact transportation solution that improves mobility, independence, and safety.
Step 5. List and prioritize the Pain Points. (P)
Major pain points of the Visually Impaired (Blind) segment are,