India clocks 200k car crash deaths a year. A startup’s plan to help

Photo credit: Pixabay.

So, you’re riding along in a car with the sounds of the road lulling you into a bit of a daze when there’s a loud sound and a sudden jolt, followed by that dreaded lumpy ride feel. You’ve got a flat tire – just another thing on your to-do list that you have to worry about.

Daksh Sharma, founding partner of Zaiuto. Photo credit: Zaiuto.

So what do you do?

Well, if Noida-based on-demand roadside assistance and car care startup Zaiuto (based on the Italian word aiuto, which means “help”) has its way, you just pull over and pull out your smartphone – they’re available 24/7 to get someone to come and put air in your tire for you. Or give you a bit of gas if you decided to pass one fuel station too many. Or handle your breakdowns. They’ll even help you get your keys out of your car if you get locked out.

The Android app launched this month and is free to download. Customers only pay after the services have been rendered. A partner app is available for car workshops and roadside assistance agencies, and founding partner Daksh Sharma says an iOS version is likely to pop up in a couple of months.

Founded last month, Zaiuto operates in the Noida area and connects unlucky car owners with mechanics. Founding partners Daksh and Sunny Jindal have been working together for more than a decade, first as colleagues, then as co-founders in 2010 for marketing and social media company Iffort.

Breakdowns in India can be a complicated affair, says Daksh, who, as a car owner, has used several roadside assistance programs in the past. He has clocked several hours waiting for help in the past. He even spent the night stuck on the road due to a breakdown once – which inspired the birth of Zaiuto.

The idea behind Zaiuto is that you should be able to have an Uber-like experience with roadside assistance. When users need help, they can boot up the app and see who’s available nearby. Then, they pick their problem and enter the make, model, and version of their vehicle. The price of the service pops up and if the user approves it, the nearest mechanic is sent over. Users can track when help will arrive.

Safety features

Photo credit: Pixabay.

Getting around India’s city traffic can be a nightmare. Several apps have popped up to make your smartphone the best weapon you can use in this situation, from ride-sharing apps to chauffeur apps trying to reduce the number of cars on the road and the stress involved in driving.

An end to the waiting game?