Abstract

Where do we begin when we’re unsure where to go on holiday? That’s the question at the heart of what Rover.ai aims to solve.

Rover.ai is an intelligent travel companion powered by generative AI, designed to create real-time, personalized itineraries. It transforms both real-world and user-generated content into customized recommendations that evolve based on each traveler’s preferences, behavior, and curiosity. From start to finish, Rover.ai ensures a smooth journey by suggesting tailored activities, destinations, and events at every step.

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Concept

The initial brief was to conceptualize and prototype a cognitive experience powered by Generative AI, aimed at enhancing user interactions within the travel and accommodation space. We chose to focus on the travel experience, specifically targeting the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) context.

We set out to explore two key questions:

1. What if a GenAI-powered travel guide could generate real-time, adaptive itineraries tailored to a traveler’s interests, energy levels, and even changing weather conditions?
2. How can GenAI assist travel experience providers in optimizing their services—by predicting demand, personalizing tour recommendations, and automating logistical tasks?

From these questions, we began brainstorming common pain points in travel planning, scheduling, and on-the-go trip management. A few examples that stood out:

• We save hundreds of destinations but never actually plan a holiday.
• We spend more time planning trips than enjoying them.
• We create detailed itineraries, but struggle to adapt when disruptions happen during the journey.

The Prototype

Rover is an AI-powered travel companion that acts as a mentor, planner, and rescheduler throughout every phase of a trip.

Key Features

Personalized Onboarding

One of Rover’s core features is its tailored onboarding experience. Users can sign in via their social media accounts and are then greeted by a voice-enabled chat. This conversational interface asks engaging questions like “Where do you feel most at home?”, “What’s your dream destination?”, or “What’s the perfect soundtrack for your trip?”—gathering key insights to instantly generate personalized travel recommendations.