I've had a couple of fill-ups with Yoshi since signing up a few weeks ago. It's been great for my Mountain View commutes so I don't have to lose more time with my family because I had to stop for gas on the way home.
Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
11–20 of 281 posts
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#12solution in search of a problem? Gas stations are not sparse, there is one on every corner.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#13> Today, the company’s fuel delivery drivers are 1099 contractors
Why? Even if truck driving jobs tend to be contract positions, this isn't any driving job. And it certainly isn't uber.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#14This article from a few months ago comes to mind: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-02/gas-delive...
> “If it was illegal, they would have and should have told us many months ago.”
I love this quote so much.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#15"... allows Yoshi to access any car’s tank, even if the gas flap is locked." Very curious how this works.
Good question. We created a device (that we call a "Fuel Vault") that we can install in your car's "gas flap." We'll require that you leave your car's gas flap popped open for your first fill-up so that we can install it. After that, we'll be able to get into your gas flap anytime. It doesn't require any permanent modifications to your car, and can be removed anytime.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#16When I saw the first picture of the article, I thought the premise was that you could get your gas filled while you were actually driving like a plane refueling in the sky. That's not what it is though.
Not quite... I like that idea better, it's just a lot harder unfortunately. We're starting with stationary fill-ups only
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#17This article from a few months ago comes to mind: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-02/gas-delive...
> “If it was illegal, they would have and should have told us many months ago.” I love this quote so much.
> “If it was illegal, they would have and should have told us many months ago.”
Said the man to his cellmate.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#18Hi, I'm one of the founders. Happy to answer any questions!
I actually think this is a pretty good idea, especially if you can also handle the annoying, piddly maintenance stuff, like tire pressure, fluids and perhaps oil changes for me.
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#19> The company has engineered its own gas delivery trucks with a proprietary system, called the Fuel Vault, which allows Yoshi to access any car’s tank, even if the gas flap is locked I'd like to know what a glamorized fuel cell has to do with somehow circumventing the lock on many gas caps. I imagine it's some sort of tool that somehow defeats the locks on such gas caps and flaps, which poses interesting questions ab…
This is just a guess, but perhaps it's a very strong magnet?
Many gas flap locks seem to be simple solenoids, and it's often relatively simple to change the state of a solenoid using a powerful magnet. Certain low-end electronic-lock safes are susceptible to similar attacks (that's part of the reason why better electronic-lock safes use motor-driven bolts instead of solenoids).
Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF
#20I've never owned a car in a city as dense as SF or New York so maybe it's different in places like that, but this strikes me as yet another example of the "Uber-For-X" SV startup that doesn't solve any real problem. Stopping by the gas station once a week on my way home is simply not a big enough annoyance for me to subscribe to yet another service. I'm also skeptical of the long-term prospects of this business model…
Agreed. What would be better is if they were full service and actually had good coffee that they'd bring to your window.