The Moment the Driver Said 'Yes' — And How It Changed the Way We Track Trucks
When the Arise & Shine Transporters app first tracked a truck in real time, it was more than just a technical milestone — it was a moment of connection with the people who use the tool every day. This article explores the human side of building AI-powered products for everyday life in Kenya.
"The Moment the Driver Said 'Yes' — And How It Changed the Way We Track Trucks When the Arise & Shine Transporters app first tracked a truck in real time, it was more than just a technical milestone — it was a moment of connection with the people who use the tool every day. This article explores the human side of building AI-powered products for everyday life in Kenya. The first time the Arise & Shine Transporters app successfully tracked a truck in real time, it was not a moment of pure technical triumph — it was a moment of relief. For weeks, the system had been struggling with GPS accuracy, route deviations, and the occasional missing signal. But on that day, the map updated in real time, and the driver’s location appeared exactly where it should have been. It was a small win, but it was enough to remind me why I was building this in the first place: to make the lives of people in the logistics industry easier, more transparent, and more efficient.
Working on this project was never just about writing code. It was about understanding the people who would use the tool. I spent time talking to the business owner in Thika, listening to his frustrations with manual tracking, and seeing how his team struggled with paper records and unverified fuel receipts. Every time the app failed to track a truck or calculate a delivery cost accurately, it was a setback for him — not just for me.
AI collaboration played a crucial role in making this project work. Using Claude and Codex as development partners, I was able to test different approaches to fleet tracking and anomaly detection. One of the most interesting AI features was the anomaly detection system, which flags unusual stops or route deviations every five minutes. When it first worked correctly — and the system alerted the admin that a driver had taken a detour — it was a moment of validation. The tool wasn’t just working; it was helping people make better decisions.
The mobile app for drivers was another area where feedback made a difference. Early versions of the app were clunky and slow, which frustrated users who needed real-time updates on their trucks. After incorporating feedback from drivers, we redesigned the interface to be more intuitive. The result was a smoother experience for them, and a more accurate picture of fleet operations for the business owner.
There was also a moment with the fuel efficiency rating feature. I had built it to help the business owner understand how efficient each truck was, but it wasn’t until a driver told me, 'This shows me how I can save money on fuel,' that I realized the feature was more than just a number on a dashboard — it was a tool that empowered people to make better choices.
Building AI-powered tools for everyday life in Kenya is not just about writing code or training models. It’s about understanding the people who will use the tools and ensuring that the work we do actually helps them. The Arise & Shine Transporters app is still evolving, but every time it tracks a truck correctly or calculates a delivery cost accurately, it’s a reminder that the work is meaningful — and that the people it serves are the reason it matters.
The same principle applies to other projects like Mwalimu Cosmetics, where feedback from customers helped shape the e-commerce experience, or Rev & Learn, where parents shared insights that made the educational quizzes more engaging for children. Each product is a reflection of the people
