Drive Smarter platform: A unified mobile application for safer, more connected driving 

Business challenge 

Cedar Electronics sought to unify support for its radar detectors and dash cams into the Drive Smarter mobile app. However, the app initially struggled with critical performance issues, including unreliable device onboarding and poor Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity. With users frustrated by instability and poor functionality, Cedar needed to resolve these issues to ensure a smooth transition from legacy apps, improve user satisfaction, and support product monetization.

Solution

Working closely with Cedar Electronics, Coherent Solutions supported the transformation of their mobile app into a more stable and unified platform across iOS and Android. The collaboration helped improve performance and reliability, contributing to a crash-free rate above 99.8% and user ratings exceeding four stars. 

Key features included Navigation, Posted Speed Limit, Road Alerts, CarPlay and Android Auto support, along with a redesigned user portal that streamlined interactions and introduced new functionalities. 

Project timeline 

Phase 1: initial assessment and stabilization

The project commenced with a thorough technical audit and assessment of the existing application. A minimal team was deployed to take over development, focusing on bug fixes and general maintenance. This phase was aimed at stabilizing the app across both iOS and Android platforms.

Phase 2: bug fixing and architectural refactoring

In the second phase, efforts were concentrated on addressing multiple bugs simultaneously while refactoring critical architectural components. This work was essential for enhancing stability and reliability across the app, laying a strong foundation for future enhancements.

Phase 3: comprehensive redesign

With an extended mobile development team, the application underwent a significant redesign. This improved the user experience through enhanced user flows and an updated interface. As a result, user engagement increased substantially, leading to app ratings exceeding four stars and crash-free rates of over 99.8%. Additionally, a new user portal was launched, enriching the functionality and appealing to a broader audience.

Phase 4: feature development

The introduction of CarPlay and Android Auto support was a pivotal milestone, allowing Cedar Electronics to showcase this innovative feature at an international automobile exhibition. This development positioned Cedar as a leader in connected vehicle technology.

Phase 5: back-office support application

Recognizing the importance of internal support, comprehensive product analysis and user research were conducted to identify the core needs of the customer support and mobile development teams. This insight led to the creation of a back-office support application, streamlining operations and enhancing overall productivity.

Phase 6: metrics collection and reporting

A comprehensive set of Power BI reports (over 25) were introduced, covering product metrics, alert statistics, and NPS scores. These metrics guide future developments and help identify key areas for improvement. Custom logging of app features and user actions provide real-time visibility into end-user behavior.

Phase 7: continuous development and market expansion

The final phase focused on ongoing development to introduce new features, enhance monetization strategies, and maintain the unified product while phasing out legacy applications. Additionally, research and development initiatives were launched to explore improvements and expand market coverage into new regions.

This structured approach not only revitalized Cedar Electronics' mobile application but also positioned the company for future growth and innovation in the connected automotive market. 

Key features 

The Drive Smarter application has been lauded by bloggers and media as one of the most advanced solutions for navigation and alert detection. Its robust capabilities combine radar-based alerts, a unique database of information from the Defender system, and community-generated alerts from a vast user network.

Unique features:

• CarPlay and Android Auto support: This innovative feature allows seamless integration with devices, enhancing the user experience during drives.

• Multi-device workflow: Users can manage several devices simultaneously, such as radar detectors and dash cams, ensuring comprehensive coverage on the road.

• Geofencing & fleet management: The application includes geofencing capabilities and basic fleet management functionalities, empowering users to monitor and manage their driving environments effectively.

• Turn-by-turn navigation: Advanced navigation features include voice search, providing users with extensive, hands-free navigation options.

• Alerts displayed on dash cam screens: Real-time alerts are displayed simultaneously on both the mobile app and dash cam screens, ensuring drivers stay informed.

• Subscription model with in-app purchase: Non-device users can access the app's full features through a subscription model, providing a consistent experience.
  
  

Results 

The collaboration between Cedar Electronics and Coherent Solutions has brought meaningful improvements to the Drive Smarter application. Both the Google Play and App Store versions now maintain ratings above four stars, with the crash-free user rate rising to over 99.8%. 

Starting in 2024, Drive Smarter began serving as a unified application, gradually replacing legacy Cedar products. The app now features built-in monetization options, including direct device purchases and subscription plans through in-app purchases on both iOS and Android. 

What began as a performance challenge became an opportunity to reimagine the user experience and lay the groundwork for what’s next. With ongoing support from Coherent Solutions, Cedar Electronics is evolving the Drive Smarter platform and looking ahead to new possibilities in connected vehicle technology.