Drivers and riders needed accurate live location and status, not a pin that updates when someone remembers to refresh.
The backend keeps a socket room per ride. Clients send location; they receive ETA and status changes. Native iOS uses Google Maps for display and routing. PayPal charges are verified on the server. Notifications deep-link back into the trip.
Battery-efficient location and a graceful path when sockets drop are what make the product feel reliable instead of lucky.
