The Earner app's heatmap is a critical utility, providing real-time data that empowers earners to make informed decisions about when, where, and how to earn. However, user research (UXR) and feedback from our crew sessions highlighted a key design challenge: a lack of visual clarity, with the old map being described as having "dark grey clouds" and needing stronger signal articulation.

This fall, our design team addressed this directly by launching a new, intentional heatmap design. We shifted the visual aesthetic to a much more impactful warm color spectrum, creating a clearer visual hierarchy powered by our new wait-time technology.

Key design elements include:

• Intuitive Color Palette: A red-orange-yellow gradient is employed to represent predicted wait times. The warmer the color, the shorter the wait, immediately communicating crucial information to the earner.
• Distinct Iconography: Surge areas are clearly delineated using consistent purple icons for immediate recognition.
• Focused Utility: The new design integrates a dedicated delivery heatmap, utilizing icons to clearly mark real-time hotspots at busy stores and restaurants, further enhancing utility across all earning modes.

This user-centered iteration has been lauded by earners globally, reinforcing its success as our most effective heatmap design to date. The design innovation was recently featured by leadership at Only on Uber 2025.

We led this effort from concept through launch, collaborating closely with partners across design, research, and product. Together we built alignment across orgs, defined a clear north star vision, and iterated relentlessly through prototypes, testing, and workshops. What launched was more than a redesign—it was a renewed platform for innovation. With a reimagined home, inbox, and menu, the new system has already improved feature discoverability, deepened engagement, and inspired org-wide adoption as the model for future driver experiences.