Doobl is a new mobile app designed to assist drivers in finding available street parking spots, addressing a common issue in urban centres across Spain. The app was developed by a team including Jaume García, a young engineer from Palma, Mallorca, who studied Aerospace Systems Engineering in Castelldefels, Barcelona.
García, born in 2001, recalls, "Many evenings, when going out with friends, we’d spend 15 or 20 minutes driving around trying to find a parking space. I thought there must be a smarter way." This realisation led to the creation of Doobl, which offers a collaborative platform connecting users who free a parking space with those searching for one.
After approximately 18 months of development, the Spanish startup operates from Malaga with a small team of four. The app functions by detecting when a user parks and prompting them to post a notice on a map indicating helpful details such as the zone type and estimated time of vacancy. This appears as a pin on a map interface resembling Google Maps.
Drivers looking for parking can browse these pins, select a suitable option, and directly connect with the person vacating the spot. A built-in chat feature, navigation guidance and arrival time estimates aim to streamline the transaction. "We don’t grant any rights over the space, just share real-time information to reduce unnecessary circling and traffic," García explains.
The service operates on peer collaboration enhanced by a gamified rewards system. Users earn virtual coins for posting vacant spots or completing challenges, which can be spent to contact other drivers. These coins are redeemable for discounts at local shops or online stores, thus supporting neighbourhood commerce.
Additional engagement is fostered through rankings, competitions and experience levels that reward ongoing participation. Although the team is young, García notes their solid tech sector background. Currently in beta testing, approximately 250 users are providing feedback ahead of a full launch, currently planned for Mallorca and Malaga.
Available on both Android and iOS, anyone interested can try Doobl now. García, who also works as a flight data analyst for an airline, emphasises the project’s aim: "If every driver can cut down even a few minutes searching, the impact on traffic, emissions and daily stress could be quite notable."