David J Lambert

US Patent:

20150294403, Oct 15, 2015

Filed:

Apr 14, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/686219

Inventors:

- Boston MA, US
David Lambert - Boston MA, US
Dylan Spencer - Medford MA, US
Chris Wheeler - Cambridge MA, US
Griffin Mahoney - Cambridge MA, US
Russen Guggemos - Medford MA, US
James Martineau - Somerville MA, US
Guido Bartoloni - Boston MA, US
Miles Hoffman - Cambridge MA, US
Chris Chu - Boston MA, US
Alex Moore-Niemi - Cambridge MA, US
Lesley Mottla - Rockport MA, US
Al Seely - Burlington MA, US
Scott Rudberg - Newton MA, US

International Classification:

G06Q 30/06

Abstract:

The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for sharing vehicles between fleets. Vehicle sharing services typically experience the most use during the weekend. Thus, many vehicles used by vehicle sharing services sit idle during the week. Meanwhile, vehicle rental companies experience the most demand during the week and their vehicles are underutilized during the week. The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, provides systems and methods for sharing vehicles between a vehicle sharing entity and a vehicle renting entity. This allows the entities to lower fleet costs and obtain better fleet utilization by moving vehicles between fleets when one entity anticipates a spike in demand. For example, the ability for the vehicle sharing service to utilize a rental vehicle agency's excess weekend inventory will allow them to meet its strong weekend demand without the need for purchasing and maintaining additional vehicles.