Developing a digital performance support tool for entrepreneurial delivery riders in Helsinki
Nawarathna Mudiyanselage, Mujitha Manorathna (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052917917
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052917917
Tiivistelmä
This thesis presents the development of a mobile application designed to support self-employed food delivery riders working under platform-based systems, such as Foodora in Finland. These workers often face challenges related to transparency, performance tracking, and limited access to feedback, all of which can affect their ability to plan shifts and maintain competitive batch rankings. The main goal of this thesis was to create a lightweight, user-friendly tool that allows riders to independently track their Utilization Time Ratio (UTR), visualize performance trends, and estimate batch status based on session activity.
The development process followed an Agile methodology, combining Flutter for cross-platform development, SQLite for offline storage, and Firebase for authentication and cloud-based syncing. Features such as OCR-based data input, performance charting using Syncfusion, and secure login were implemented and tested iteratively. Informal interviews with Foodora riders provided real-world insights that guided design and functionality. While formal usability testing remains limited, early feedback from users confirmed the relevance and usability of the tool in supporting rider autonomy.
The resulting application demonstrates how digital tools can improve transparency and reduce the cognitive burden on riders operating in algorithmically managed environments. The thesis also reflects on the broader implications of platform work and highlights future directions, including feature expansion, broader user testing, and integration of income forecasting tools.
The development process followed an Agile methodology, combining Flutter for cross-platform development, SQLite for offline storage, and Firebase for authentication and cloud-based syncing. Features such as OCR-based data input, performance charting using Syncfusion, and secure login were implemented and tested iteratively. Informal interviews with Foodora riders provided real-world insights that guided design and functionality. While formal usability testing remains limited, early feedback from users confirmed the relevance and usability of the tool in supporting rider autonomy.
The resulting application demonstrates how digital tools can improve transparency and reduce the cognitive burden on riders operating in algorithmically managed environments. The thesis also reflects on the broader implications of platform work and highlights future directions, including feature expansion, broader user testing, and integration of income forecasting tools.