Chirp, a pioneer of data-over-sound technology, is partnering with OurBus, a New York-based tech company specializing in intercity and crowdsourced bus routes, to improve its ticket authentication process and deliver a seamless customer experience.

Chirp sends and receives data via sound, using nothing but a device's existing speaker and microphone. Information is converted to an audio signal, received by any device within hearing range, and then converted back to the original data.

The partnership will see Chirp integrate its data-over-sound technology into OurBus’ iOS and Android apps and e-tickets emailed to the users, to fully automate the ticket authentication process and allow passengers to board more quickly.

To successfully authenticate tickets, a basic mobile device located close to the driver will listen when a bus arrives at a stop. Using OurBus on their device to show their ticket, the rider will then send their ticket data via a Chirp, which the driver’s device will then hear, authenticate the ticket, and subsequently allow the passenger to board. The process means quicker onboarding time for OurBus’ passengers and allows them to have a more consistent and efficient service, with less time spent at each pick-up location.

In addition to improved boarding speed, Chirp will also add another layer of security to the OurBus ticketing process. Because individual Chirps are dynamically generated, tickets will be impossible to counterfeit and will enable true authentication for each ticket. The interaction time is also considerably quicker than QR codes, as it doesn’t require the screen to be aligned with the driver’s camera.