Didigo held its soft launch last month and already, the lifestyle mobile application has amassed over 1,000 users and car owners.
The mobile platform makes it easier for car owners to book reservations for their rides to be picked up and driven to the service centres of their choice.
To date, Didigo has partnered with some 100 workshops. It plans to tie-up with 500 workshops by the end of the year and projects 100,000 users on its platform.
“We promise a fully transparent process. The onus is on the workshops to use genuine products. They have to display a full price list of the services offered,” said Didigo founder and chief executive officer, Sean Yiap.
“Our users are encouraged to leave feedback or a review so that others can make an informed decision when using the platform.”
It was in 2019 when the concept of Didigo was introduced. It took about a year to develop the mobile application. The impact of Covid-19 on businesses accelerated the platform’s launch.
“If there is a positive takeaway from the pandemic, it is the growing awareness of the importance and effectiveness of digitisation. This is not just applicable to car owners, but also in the business world.
Didigo connects on both business-to-business, and business-to-customer levels. Automotive product suppliers can reach out to workshops that are available and listed on the mobile application, while ancillary businesses such as service maintenance, car washing, waxing, polishing and auto detailing, are also welcomed to connect.
“To the public, Didigo presents the various solutions that they would need. They would need to pre-register their vehicle and then source for the service they need via our platform.
“I would say the platform is ideal for car owners who have passed their warranty window.”
There are incentives – based on the loyalty reward point system – for those who sign up with Didigo. The points can be used to redeem other services like car washes, engine oil purchases, tinting services and batteries.
Powered by artificial intelligence, among other technologies, Didigo’s system is able to recommend service solutions and packages once a user registers a specific car model on the platform.
The system also keeps a service record to remind car owners of their next service, or predicts the next possible parts change.
“There is no denying that the internet of things (IoT) is fast becoming a driving force in all industries. In the automotive world, IoT systems help by generating preventive and/or predictive maintenance alerts to drivers because they are connected to in-vehicle sensors,” said Yiap.
“These sensors track everything from engine temperature, tyre pressure to acceleration, and brake fluid levels. Drivers will be notified of any possible issues in advance.”
Funded by several angel investors, Yiap added there are discussions with several major investors as the company plans to expand across the region.
“We are looking to expand into the Southeast Asian market within three to five years, specifically in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, for starters.
“We plan to raise funds via equity crowdfunding and venture capital.
“Ultimately, we launched Didigo as a stepping stone in our motivation to digitise the modern lifestyle. The mobile application starts with the automotive world, but we will soon include food and beverage services, travel and wellness,” he added.
