Rover app: The Ultimate Interactive Hiking & Adventure Companion
Have you ever felt like going for a walk, but didn’t know where to go or got tired of the same familiar routes? The Rover app was created to solve exactly this problem. It offers curated routes across Latvia and beyond, with easy filters to match different fitness levels and preferences. The goal was to build a digital companion that removes uncertainty from outdoor exploration, adds a playful, gamified touch, and makes nature accessible to everyone — from families to experienced adventurers.
About the company
Rover is an adventure brand founded by passionate explorers who believe the world should be exciting and accessible to everyone. They organize immersive trips and the popular “Latvijas Izaicinājums” hiking series, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone — whether close to home or abroad. To support this mission, Rover created a mobile ecosystem with 250+ curated routes, interactive tasks, checkpoints, and offline access. By blending real-world exploration with digital gamification, Rover turns discovering Latvia’s forests, cities, and coastlines into a motivating and unforgettable experience.
Project tasks
Previously, Rover was using a basic app that worked, but was limited by outdated design and a major drawback — the team had no direct access to their own content. Every update or new route required a middleman, which slowed things down and reduced flexibility. The goal was clear: give the Rover team full control over their content and build a modern, scalable ecosystem that supports both their operations and a refreshed user experience.
Design Language & UI/UX Overhaul
Custom Admin Panel Development
Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
What was done
Design System Creation
Based on extensive competitor analysis, we established a Dark Theme strategy as the foundation of the visual identity. This choice serves a dual purpose: it creates a seamless visual transition between the UI and the navigation maps, and it significantly conserves battery life— a critical feature for users on long hikes.
We organized information into rounded modular blocks that organically complement one another. This layout ensures that content is easily scannable, allowing users to absorb key details at a glance while on the move. Ultimately, the entire design system was crafted with a minimalist approach to let the content shine; every element is designed to accentuate the stunning photography and the natural beauty of the locations.
We organized information into rounded modular blocks that organically complement one another. This layout ensures that content is easily scannable, allowing users to absorb key details at a glance while on the move. Ultimately, the entire design system was crafted with a minimalist approach to let the content shine; every element is designed to accentuate the stunning photography and the natural beauty of the locations.
Admin Panel Creation
Since the client lacked direct access to the previous platform, we had to conceptualize and architect the route creation workflow from the ground up. We focused on defining the logic of how a hiking path moves from a physical concept to a playable digital asset.
We utilized Firebase as the backend infrastructure to ensure seamless data synchronization between the admin panel and the mobile app. Through active collaboration and iterative feedback loops with the client, we refined the admin UI/UX to ensure the interface was as simple as possible while remaining fully robust for daily operations. Following the launch and extensive real-world usage, we have gathered a backlog of further optimizations and ideas to make this process even more efficient in the future.
We utilized Firebase as the backend infrastructure to ensure seamless data synchronization between the admin panel and the mobile app. Through active collaboration and iterative feedback loops with the client, we refined the admin UI/UX to ensure the interface was as simple as possible while remaining fully robust for daily operations. Following the launch and extensive real-world usage, we have gathered a backlog of further optimizations and ideas to make this process even more efficient in the future.
Mobile App Development
For the user-facing application, we utilized Flutter to build a high-performance, cross-platform solution that ensures a consistent experience on both iOS and Android. The core of the experience relies on a custom Mapbox integration.
We engineered a system where the raw GPX data (uploaded via the admin panel) is parsed and rendered onto the mobile map as interactive layers. This transforms a simple static line into a detailed guide: the app accurately displays the hiking path and automatically populates it with interactive markers for scenic viewpoints and designated rest places, ensuring users can easily navigate the terrain and plan their breaks effectively.
We engineered a system where the raw GPX data (uploaded via the admin panel) is parsed and rendered onto the mobile map as interactive layers. This transforms a simple static line into a detailed guide: the app accurately displays the hiking path and automatically populates it with interactive markers for scenic viewpoints and designated rest places, ensuring users can easily navigate the terrain and plan their breaks effectively.
Features
Worldwide Route Discovery
Users can explore routes, events, and packages across Latvia and the world. The interface allows for seamless switching between a standard list view and an immersive interactive map, making it easy to visualize locations before heading out.
Filtering System
To ensure every user finds an adventure that matches their capabilities, the app includes advanced filters. Users can sort content by activity type, complexity, route length, and other specific attributes to pinpoint the perfect path.
Gamified Navigation
Unlike standard maps, Rover turns hiking into an engaging experience. The full path is revealed segment-by-segment as the user progresses. To unlock the next section, hikers must reach specific checkpoints, answer trivia questions, or engage with intersting facts about scenic spots. The view also clearly marks designated rest areas and activity zones.
Preparation Checklists
Safety and preparation are prioritized through built-in checklists. Before starting a route, users can review curated lists to ensure they haven't forgotten essential gear or supplies.
Challenge Leaderboards
Users who purchase a Package (a curated collection of routes or events) gain access to a leaderboard. This feature fosters friendly competition by allowing adventurers to track their ranking against others completing the same series. To add extra motivation, specific challenges also offer real-world prizes for top performers.