This week in How success happensI had the pleasure of speaking with Vishal Dhawan, Head of Product and Technology at Curb. With an outstanding technology and product development career, Dhawan has played a pivotal role in transforming the taxi industry. We delved into his career journey, ground-breaking innovations at Curb and his vision for the future of urban mobility.

You can listen to our full conversation above, and below, I've pulled out three key takeaways that I find particularly inspiring.

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1. Use data and analytics to innovate

Dhawan has seen the taxi industry evolve significantly over the past decade. Under his leadership, Curb has become a beacon of innovation, integrating technology to make taxi services more efficient and user-friendly. He explained how data analytics is essential in optimizing ride-sharing services and reducing urban congestion.

Over the past 10 years at Curb, Dhawan has focused on building market offerings on Curb's strong foundation in payments and rental vehicle products. He has led the development of the largest licensed taxi mobility platform in the US, connecting over 50,000 vehicles and 100,000 drivers in more than 65 cities. “We have created a platform that leverages data and analytics to provide efficient ride-sharing services, significantly reducing urban congestion,” he noted.

2. Have a clear mission and prioritize the customer experience

One of the most interesting parts of our discussion was Dhawan's overview of Curb's innovative projects and the company's commitment to its leaders. From its advanced dispatch system to electric vehicle integration, Curb is setting new standards in sustainable and user friendly transport. Dhawan highlighted Curb Flow, an innovative platform that optimizes curb space management to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

“Curb Flow is designed to create an open network of ride demand sources, maximizing profits and options for drivers and supply partners alike,” says Dhawan. He also highlighted the company's commitment to providing fair wages, comprehensive support and advanced tools to enhance the driving experience. “At Curb, our driver-first approach is at the core of our business, ensuring our drivers are well supported and motivated.”

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3. Innovate for the future with AI and machine learning

Dhawan shared an exciting vision for the future, focusing on cyber security and inclusiveness in urban transport. He detailed how Curb is using machine learning and AI to improve operations. These technologies improve driver training courses, communication and incentive programs. “Machine learning helps us analyze driver behavior and performance, enabling personalized training modules and feedback systems,” says Dhawan. “Our goal is to create a safer, more efficient and comprehensive transportation system through advanced technology.”

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