Cabify already had a music option, but it only changed the radio station (dead tech). I designed Music Match: a feature that merges driver and passenger tastes via Spotify, without adding friction to the trip request flow.
The challenge
Aligning the musical tastes of two people who just met, without either feeling they lost control. Prioritize the passenger, the driver gets uncomfortable; flip it, same problem. The solution couldn't be a unilateral override.
How I solved it
- 01
Merge algorithm, with clear fallbacks
Detects matches in genres and artists between both Spotify profiles and generates a temporary trip playlist. If there aren't enough matches, it offers pre-curated mood playlists (energizing, relaxing, neutral). And there's always 'Silence', because not everyone wants music.
- 02
Optional, progressive onboarding
Linking Spotify can't add friction to the trip request flow. Skippable explanatory modal the first time. If skipped, Music Match doesn't appear. If linked, the feature activates automatically with a simple toggle to opt out.
- 03
Validating the silence mode was key
Research showed many people would rather hear nothing. Validating this avoided forcing a feature where sometimes the best solution is not using it. 'Silence' sits at the same hierarchical level as the other two options, not hidden in a menu.
What was delivered
- iPhone 14 Figma prototype with onboarding, simulated OAuth, controls and settings
- User flows tested with real drivers and passengers
- UI aligned with Cabify's official brand guidelines (brand.cabify.com)
Closing
The best features aren't the most complex. They're the ones that solve emotional problems (the discomfort of silence with a stranger) with simple tech (connecting two Spotify accounts). If I were to redo it: post-trip feedback to iterate the merge algorithm with real data and turn Music Match into a real competitive edge.