Android-Based Mobile Application Roadside24
Android-Based Mobile Application Roadside24
(Road-Go)
2019
0
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Android-based Mobile Application Roadside Assistance App
(Road-Go)
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DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY
I hereby declare that this research project together with all of its content is none other than that of
my own work, with consideration of the exception of research based information and relative
materials that had been adapted and extracted from other resources, which have been clearly
Signed,
……………………………………………………………….
JESSICA SHIRLEY ANAK NERRY 17th May 2019
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to take this golden opportunity to thank everyone who was
involved during the completion of this project. My deepest and greatest appreciation goes to my
supervisor, Mr. Jonathan Sidi for his patience, motivation, enthusiasm, ideas and support in
supervising and mentoring me in order to accomplish this project successfully. Without his
assistance and dedication, this project would have never been accomplished.
Besides, I would also to express my gratitude to my examiner, Dr. Chiew Kang Leng for
his helpful comments and encouraging supports to improve my project. My sincere thanks also
goes to the coordinator of FYP 2018, Professor Dr. Wang Yin Chai for his endless efforts and
Last but not least, I would like also to thank my family for supporting me spiritually
throughout my life especially for the valuable support and motivation in finishing this project.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Abstrak…………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………..... 3
1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………...... 3
1.2 Problem Statement………………………………………………………………… 4
1.3 Scope………………………………………………………………………............ 5
1.4 Aims and Objectives………………………………………………………………. 6
1.5 Brief Methodology………………………………………………………………... 6
1.5.1 Analysis and quick design…………………………………………………….. 7
1.5.2 Prototype cycle………………………………………………………………... 7
1.5.3 Testing………………………………………………………………………… 8
1.5.4 Implementation………………………………………………………………... 8
1.6 Significance of project…………………………………………………………...... 9
1.7 Project Schedule…………………………………………………………………… 9
1.8 Expected Outcome………………………………………………………………… 9
1.9 Thesis Outline……………………………………………………………………... 10
Chapter 2: Literature Review………………………………………………………… 12
2.1 Overview…………………………………………………………………………... 12
2.2 Review on similar existing system……………………………………………....... 12
2.2.1 Carput………………………………………………………………………....... 12
2.2.2 Etiqa Auto Assist………………………………………………………………. 14
2.2.3 RoadPro………………………………………………………………………… 15
2.2.4 Comparison between similar existing and proposed app……………………..... 17
2.3 Review on Tools & Technology…………………………………………………... 18
2.3.1 Requirement review for user…………..……………………………………….. 18
2.3.2 Requirements review for developer…………………………………………..... 21
2.4 Summary…………………………………………………………………………... 26
Chapter 3: Methodology…………………………………………………………….... 27
3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………..... 27
3.2 Rapid Application Development…………………………………………………..... 27
3.2.1 Analysis…………………………………………………………………………. 29
3.2.2 System Design………………………………………………………………….. 34
3.2.2.1 Use case diagram………………………………………………………….... 35
3.2.2.2 Data flow diagram (DFD)…………………………………………………... 35
3.2.2.3 Activity diagram……………………………………………………………. 40
3.2.2.4 User interfaces (UI) of proposed app……………………………………….. 40
3.2.3 Prototype cycle………………………………………………………………….. 43
3.2.4 Testing…………………………………………………………………………... 44
3.2.5 Implementation…………………………………………………………………. 45
3.3 Summary……………………………………………………………………………. 45
Chapter 4: Implementation………………………………………………………….... 46
4.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 46
4.1.1 Workflow basics………………………………………………………………… 46
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4.2 Details of implementation………………………………………………………….. 47
4.2.1 Setup…………………………………………………………………………….. 47
4.2.2 Write…………………………………………………………………………….. 53
4.2.3 Build and run……………………………………………………………………. 54
4.3 Summary……………………………………………………………………………. 62
Chapter 5: Software Testing………………………………………………………….. 63
5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 63
5.2 Testing equipment………………………………………………………………….. 63
5.3 Testing strategy……………………………………………………………………... 64
5.3.1 System testing…………………………………………………………………… 64
5.3.1.1 System testing by unit of modules…………………………………………... 65
5.4 User acceptance testing……………………………………………………………... 78
5.5 Summary……………………………………………………………………………. 79
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Future Work……………………………………………. 80
6.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 80
6.2 Objectives achievements………………………………………………………….... 80
6.3 Project limitations…………………………………………………………………... 82
6.4 Future work…………………………………………………………………………. 82
6.5 Summary……………………………………………………………………………. 83
References……………………………………………………………………………… 84
Appendix……………………………………………………………………………….. 88
Appendix A: Final year project’s schedule…………………………………………...... 88
Appendix B: Questionnaires (Google Form)…………………………………………... 89
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LIST OF FIGURES
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Comparison between the similar existing and proposed app……………………… 17
Table 2.2: Comparison between tools and technology used for user and developer…………. 18
Table 2.3: Malaysia’s most popular Android smartphones…………………………………... 19
Table 2.4: Most popular Android versions and the usage share……………………………… 20
Table 2.5: Component details of the developer’s pc………………………………………….. 21
Table 2.6: Comparison between SSD and HDD……………………………………………… 22
Table 3.1: The system design of logical and physical………………………………………... 34
Table 3.2: The types of prototypes……………………………………………………………. 43
Table 5.1: The testing equipment used for testing……………………………………………. 63
Table 5.2: Test case U1……………………………………………………………………….. 65
Table 5.3: Test case U2……………………………………………………………………….. 66
Table 5.4: Test case U3……………………………………………………………………….. 67
Table 5.5: Test case U4……………………………………………………………………….. 68
Table 5.6: Test case U5……………………………………………………………………….. 69
Table 5.7: Test case U6……………………………………………………………………….. 70
Table 5.8: Test case U7……………………………………………………………………….. 71
Table 5.9: Test case U8……………………………………………………………………….. 72
Table 5.10: Test case U9……………………………………………………………………… 74
Table 5.11: Test case U10…………………………………………………………………….. 75
Table 5.12: Test case U11…………………………………………………………………….. 76
Table 6.1: Summary of achievements………………………………………………………… 80
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ABSTRACT
Roadside assistance is a very vital issues and considered as one of the most needed emergency
road services among the road users. Typically when a vehicle breaks down, users will seek for a
phone call help. They may call their family members or closest friends or even the service center
to assist the break down. The biggest concern in this issue is the service required and location. In
emergency case, it is important to be able to know the location of the breakdown site and the type
of service needed to assist. This is to reduce time consuming looking for the right person to deliver
the assistance. Therefore, Road-Go is proposed with emphasizing this two elements where it is
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ABSTRAK
Bantuan jalan raya merupakan antara isu penting dan dianggap sebagai salah satu
bantuan kecemasan yang paling diperlukan bagi pengguna jalan raya. Kebiasaannya, apabila
sesebuah kenderaan rosak, pemandu lebih gemar mendapatkan bantuan melalui panggilan
telefon. Mereka akan menelefon ahli keluarga, rakan terdekat mahupun pusat servis kereta untuk
membantu dalam hal kerosakan tersebut. Isu yang perlu dititik beratkan dalam hal ini adalah
berkenaan dengan jenis servis yang diperlukan dan lokasi kejadian. Di dalam kes kecemasan
seperti ini, ianya amat penting untuk mengetahui lokasi kejadian dan jenis servis yang diperlukan
untuk memperbaiki kerosakan tersebut. Kedua-dua perkara ini penting bagi mengurangkan
pengambilan masa yang lama dalam mencari orang yang tepat bagi melaksanakan servis tersebut.
Oleh hal yang demikian, aplikasi Road-Go telah dicadangkan dengan penekanan dua elemen yang
telah diutarakan, di mana ianya diharapkan dapat membantu dalam mempertingkatkan kecekapan
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Roadside trouble is an avoidable issues among the society. All vehicles, even the newest
ones are prone to typical roadsides issues such as dead batteries and flat tires. This mean, for
vehicles that is 10 years and older are four times more likely to encounter a problem serious enough
Association (AAA) road users are always advised and reminded to have Battery (B), Engine (E)
and Tires (T) checked to stay good on the road. This concept is called as B-E-T tips, as these top
three are the most common issues that could derail a road trip. Usually, roadside assistance
includes a number of service. However, the services will vary between the providers themselves.
Some of the most-faced roadside assistance are towing, flat tyre, fuel, battery replacement, jump-
Roadside assistance is a very vital issues and considered as one of the most needed
emergency road services among the road users. Unexpected incidents more likely to happen at
road. Over the years, the demand for emergency road services has risen around the world. For
example, the rising of road accident cases also has led to emergency medical assistance, from
essentially transporting injured person to delivering basic treatment or even advanced life support
In time to time, as the years increasing, people are becoming afford to own vehicles.
However, a number of people may not know what to do when they are stranded on the road due to
a breakdown especially women. Women undoubtedly have shown their ability to handle many
things. However, they are bad in fixing and troubleshoot cars. This has been proven true in a survey
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by Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, which states that only 1% females in contrast to 48% of male
drivers were capable to troubleshoot without help when their car breaks down (Nur Athirah, 2018).
The advancement of computer science world and technology are slowly changing the way
of emergency services operates. This is because, the need of efficient roadside emergency services
demand the knowledge of accurate information about the user request. This is also in need to
reduce the response time of rescuing because the faster the rescue, the high chance to recover from
the trouble. For example, Uber taxi is also considered as one of the services offered in time of
emergency of needing a transport to certain places. Just a simple click of request, you are able to
Therefore, this project aims to develop an Android mobile application that will assist the
drivers in the time of having roadside emergency. This application is designed to be used by both
road users and the mechanics. This app offers roadside assistance where road users are able to raise
their request to the available mechanics. On the other hand, the mechanics also able to receive the
It is a fact of life where vehicles break down sometimes. And when they do, it creates a
major hassle. To make that hassle a little less major, Road-Go is proposed and designed to meet
Roadside assistance is a form of protection when the car breaks down while on the road.
In Malaysia, drivers can get roadside assistance cover when they buy a car insurance with a basic
cover. However, the roadside assistance cover makes up to a more comprehensive coverage. Some
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insurance companies offer roadside assistance cover on its own too, which means the drivers can
purchase it as an add-on.
Typically when a car breaks down, a professional assistance help would be just a phone
call away. This current method is obviously is inefficient and ineffective, in a way where could
lead to miscommunication between the road users and the helpers. This is because, when
communicate verbally, both of them could misinterpret the damage. Besides, it also could be
ineffective in term of finding location of the car break down. The helper could have to use
navigation apps and key-in the address stated by the road users, where it is an absolutely inefficient,
especially if the road users themselves do not know their exact location. This situation could be a
massive trouble for both sides as well as time consuming. Besides, the service requested also play
a big role here. If the road users even could get a help from their friends, are their friends able to
provide the service needed? Are they the right person to be called upon, rescuing the breakdown
issue? All of these issues arise are the main concerns that will be covered in the objectives of this
project.
1.3 Scope
The scope of this project will be focusing on the roadside assistance that involve two types
of users which are the customer and mechanic. The customers are the road users, meanwhile the
mechanics can be from a particular small-business mechanic shop or those who do not own a
mechanic shop but have the ability to do vehicle maintenance, where can be called as runner. But
for a simplicity purpose, it can be concluded as mechanic as well. This project also will focus on
the element of service requested and location finding. Although cost service is one of the important
element that can be considered as well in this project, the main concern that will be focused is to
enable the customers to get connected with the mechanics. Therefore, the cost element here, would
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be good to be considered but due to time limitation, it would be less focused on. This project also
i) To design and develop a roadside assistance application for both customer and
mechanic
ii) To design and provide an estimated measurement of length distance and time for the
conduct. For this development of mobile app, the rapid application development (RAD) is chosen
as this methodology. This is because, the essence of RAD is its flexibility to adapt to changes in
requirements throughout the development cycle within the minimal time (Pike, 2018). The
duration allocated for Final Year Project is short and estimated time of completion of project is
within three months only. Therefore, the main reason to consider RAD is due to the tight deadline.
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Figure 1.1: Graphic Representation of Rapid Application Development
In this phase, the preliminary requirement analysis will be carried out by querying and
gathering information from the users. This phase also combines the elements of system planning
and analysis. The users (clients) and the developer agree on the project scope, prominent issues
highlighted and application requirements so that the future stages with prototyping can begin. The
developer also will work closely with the users to develop prototypes that require all the system
processes, inputs and outputs. User feedback is gathered with heavy emphasis on the determining
the system architecture. This allows initial modeling and prototypes to be created. This step is
repeated as often as necessary as the project evolves. The key of this stage is the process of
Once the basic user and system design has begun, this is the step where the construction
phase takes place. This phase is the stage where most of the actual application coding, testing and
integration takes place. Build the code, demonstrate the prototypes and refining are the three major
steps where will be an iterative process along with the user design, as new components are required
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1.5.3 Testing
When the refinement is done excellently, then the project will be tested officially among
the users. In this phase, applications are subjected to real world testing by the intended users such
as the road users and the mechanics for the apps. This testing also objectively to measure the
accuracy, interactivity, attractiveness and acceptability among the tested users. Evaluation also
will be conducted along the way focusing on the performance and efficiency of the apps.
1.5.4 Implementation
The implementation phase is the phase where the data conversion, testing and changeover
to the new system. This phase allow the development of the project to bring the components to a
live production environment, where any necessary full-scale testing take place.
Unlike Waterfall methods, RAD emphasizes working software and user feedback over
strict planning and requirements recording (Anderson, 2017). With RAD, this method will break
a large project down into smaller task where more achievable pieces gained. Since RAD will have
a lot testing conducted along the development, which means this project could receive a constant
feedback from users and quickly implement any changes that need to be made before the finished
product is presented.
One of the biggest benefit of RAD is the ability to both easily and frequently receive
feedback from users who are directly interfacing with the application during development and
prototyping. This advantage also means that it is readily visible within the UI/UX components of
the system, where iterative design of the user feedback can be at the forefront of the process
(Morse, 2016). At the very least, with RAD, the project is able to produce functioning parts of
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1.6 Significance of Project
This project will give a great benefits for the road users as this type of app is one of the
app-on demand (Price, 2018). It could be a great app to have in pocket for such roadside
emergency. It could improve the existing way of roadside assistance be conducted. This project is
designed to develop a mobile app that allows user to decide who should come to their aid when
they are having car trouble. The massive benefit of this project development is to save users’ time
from the hassle and trouble of finding the person to call in the first place. This project will be a
good platform for the road users to get connected easily with the mechanics. Once connected, they
would less worry since this project will provide them a real time tracking distance and duration.
The Final Year Project 1 initially starts on 17th September 2018 and will be due for full
report on Final Submission of Final Year Project 2 on 21th May 2019. Refer to Appendix section
The main expected outcome of this project is an Android-based mobile application that
would be used by both customers and mechanics. This application is expected to capable to record
request raised by the customers and connected to the mechanics that have a matched service
requested by customers. Besides, it is also expected to be able to display duration and length of
distance arrival of the assistance. At the end of this project, this project is expected to provide an
easier and quicker platform for customers and mechanics to get connected.
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1.9 Thesis Outline
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1 depicts the introduction of the proposed framework. This chapter includes about
the problem statement, objectives of the study, methodology uses, project scope, project
significance, project schedule and the expected outcome of the project. The problem statement
describes the challenges faced by the current system. The objectives clarifies the project’s goals
that is expected to be achieved by the end of the project development. Meanwhile, the scope is the
Chapter 2 discuss about the review conducted on the existing system that is similar to the
proposed project. Overall, the study is done based on the reading articles, journals and conference
papers. The limitations of the present system and methods of improving is analyzed by presenting
a side by side comparison of the features. At the end of the chapter, a brief description on the app
and the technology tools utilized for the execution of the project will be documented.
This chapter evolves around the methodology used for the development of this entire
project. The Rapid Application Development methodology will be utilize as the model to develop
the proposed apps. This chapter also portrays the methods of acquiring requirements from the
future users of the apps. The last aspects of this chapter comprises of use case diagram, data flow
diagram (DFD), activity diagram and the user interfaces to express the overall design of the
proposed app.
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Chapter 4: Implementation
This chapter incorporates the detailed description of the app’s implementation. The
structure and framework of the app is described in detail and precise using the screenshots of the
interface layout as a walk-through, explaining its behavior process and relation to the design.
This chapter explains about the app testing conducted to determine either it successfully
meets the objectives of the project and user needs. The main part that will be covered in this chapter
is about the system testing and user acceptance testing. At the end of this chapter, a prototype will
be produced.
This chapter is the close up of the entire project designed. This chapter will come out with
the limitations possessed, achievement and the lessons learnt all along the project. The future work
will be discussed and explained extensively in order to improve the proposed solution.
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CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Overview
A full thorough of background studies and reviews are required to be conducted in order
to ensure the objectives of the project development is able to be achieved. In this chapter, there
will be two types of reviews conducted evolving about the similar existing apps and
tools/technology used in the app development. These reviews are important as the information
gathered are crucial for the proposed developed app. The draw and drawback for every apps
reviewed is important to be taken into measure so that the proposed developed app is able to be
designed well. Reviewing on tools and technology used for both users and developer’s side also
conducted to determine the best method acquired to develop the proposed app. It is also needed to
be evaluated with rational reasons stated on every particular components used. All of these review
and assessment is required to be done thoroughly and meticulously with great considerations and
details.
2.2.1 CARPUT
CARPUT (The Battery Shop, 2014) is Malaysia’s first and most trusted mobile
applications for car breakdowns. It is a roadside assistance mobile applications that available both
in Google Play and App Store that connects drivers or the users with trusted roadside professionals
who will come and get them and their cars safely back on the road as efficiently as they can. This
app has been designed by the core team of Eugene Tan, Ezra Ray, Mark Chew and Mike Kee, who
are working in the automotive industry in Malaysia (The Advertiser, 2017). CARPUT enables
users to register their details and login using social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Google
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Plus. This app also required users to enter their vehicle details before proceeding to raise a service
request. The most important thing that is good about CARPUT is, it provides a real time chat
platform between the users and the professionals, where they can directly chat. They are also able
to pin point their location so they are allowed to see the expected time arrival. Besides, users also
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Figure 2.2: Type of services in the CARPUT app
Etiqa Auto Assist (Etiqa, n.d) is an app owned by the Etiqa Insurance and Takaful company
that focus on the issue of car insurance. Etiqa Auto Assist initially developed to increase the
competition among the insurance providers. It offers an easier way to reach Etiqa using the new
Auto Assist mobile application. The app enables the users to receive immediate support by
connecting with its 24/7 call centre to request for emergency roadside services. Without having to
make calls or wait in queue for service, the app will detect the user’s GPS coordinate and transmit
it to the nearest available service provider which will then expedite the auto assist service to the
location (Wong, 2017). Therefore, there are not much functions featured in the apps. One major
different exist in Etiqa Auto Assist is that the users are able to take photos of the emergency, as
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shown in the Figure 2.1. The app is simple and it is suitable for users who prefer simplicity in
reporting an emergency.
2.2.3 RoadPro
RoadPro (RoadPro, 2015) is one of the vehicle road assistance service provider mobile
application, which is designed with the latest technical innovation for more efficient service.
RoadPro is designed and developed by Erima Global, one of the faster growing firms in service
provision, import and export, cosmetics and pharmaceutical supplies (Erima Global, 2018).
RoadPro also designed with almost the same feature as in CARPUT app. It has even simpler
interface designs and icons. However, they have the same basic features and functions required in
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