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Lyft·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

SeniorPrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

Lyft PM interview with a fun product design prompt about a hypothetical Apple phone with a smell-detecting sensor. The constraint was interesting: the sensor outputs text only, which forced some creative thinking about what you'd actually build around that.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design an app for a new Apple phone that has a sensor capable of detecting smells. The sensor can only detect smells and output a text description of what it detects. What would you build?

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & AmbiguityTechnical Trade-offs
Author's notes

The text-only output constraint is what makes this interesting and also where I kind of stumbled.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal: this is a product ideation question for Lyft, so focus on how a smell sensor could enhance the rider/driver experience. Brainstorm a few ideas, then pick one and flesh it out with user value, technical feasibility, and business impact. Show structured thinking and creativity while staying grounded in Lyft's context.

Pro tip: Tie your idea back to Lyft's core metrics like ride completion, driver satisfaction, or safety. Avoid over-engineering; instead, show how you'd validate the concept with a simple MVP.

1. Clarify the Goal and Constraints

Ask clarifying questions to understand the sensor's capabilities (e.g., accuracy, latency) and the target user (riders, drivers, or both). Confirm that the goal is to design a product that leverages this sensor to solve a real problem for Lyft.

2. Brainstorm Potential Use Cases

Generate a few diverse ideas, such as detecting alcohol in the car, identifying unpleasant odors, or personalizing ride experience based on rider's perfume. Quickly evaluate each for feasibility and impact.

3. Select and Define the Product

Choose the most promising idea and define it clearly: what it does, who it's for, and how it works. For example, a 'Fresh Ride' feature that alerts drivers to lingering odors and suggests actions.

4. Detail User Experience and Technical Implementation

Describe the end-to-end user flow, from sensor detection to notification and action. Discuss technical trade-offs like false positives, privacy concerns, and integration with the Lyft app.

5. Define Success Metrics and Next Steps

Outline how you'd measure success (e.g., increase in 5-star ratings, reduction in odor complaints) and propose a pilot test with a small group of drivers.

Key Points to Mention

  • User problem: unpleasant odors in rides lead to lower ratings and complaints.
  • Solution: real-time odor detection with actionable suggestions for drivers.
  • Technical feasibility: sensor limitations, false positives, and data privacy.
  • Business impact: improved rider satisfaction, driver accountability, and differentiation.
  • MVP approach: pilot with select drivers, gather feedback, iterate.
  • Lyft context: align with Lyft's brand of reliable, comfortable rides.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.