Uber Technologies Inc.
09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 15:38
Only on Uber: Helping to make driving and delivering safer, fairer, and easier
There are more than 7 million monthly drivers and couriers on the Uber platform around the world. Unlike many riders and consumers who pop in and out, the amount of time they spend on the app is measured in hours and days - not minutes. New features and app improvements have an outsized impact on their daily lives, which is why we must continuously find ways to improve their experience, day in and day out.
This morning in Washington, DC, we unveiled important new features designed to help make the things drivers and couriers do every day safer, fairer, and easier, adding up to an experience they can find only on Uber. You can explore all the details here, but below are some highlights.
Safety
Over the years, we've made hundreds of improvements to the app to help keep drivers safe. Last November, we announced comprehensive changes to our deactivation policies to give drivers and couriers a louder voice in the process. Today, we announced some additional features, including:
Nationwide Launch of Enhanced Rider Verification
Beginning tomorrow, drivers across the country will see when a rider has undergone additional verification steps with a new "Verified" rider badge, visible right on the trip request. We designed these new verification measures in response to driver feedback that they want to know more about who is getting in their car. All riders will have their account information checked against trusted third-party databases or have the option to upload an ID. Once verified, they will receive a "Verified" badge.
Earlier this year, we began testing the program in a handful of cities across the US. In those pilot markets, the majority of riders are verified, and they tend to give drivers 5 stars more often. Riders who are verified also get fewer serious complaints from drivers.
For more information on how the process works, please click here. We'll also be introducing new verification options, starting with the ability for existing CLEAR Members to verify their identity with CLEAR to get the badge.
National Launch of "Record My Ride"
Last year, we announced a new feature that allows drivers to use the front-facing camera on their smartphone to record video and audio during trips, without the need to invest in a dashcam. Our pilot was a success, and we heard that more drivers wanted access. Now, drivers in all 50 states have access to this tool, helping to give them an extra layer of protection on their trips.
As we mentioned in the past, we built Record My Ride with privacy in mind: every recording is encrypted and stored directly on drivers' devices, and nobody-not Uber, not riders, not drivers-can access it unless a driver chooses to send it in for review. We believe this feature will help promote safety and allow us to more quickly and fairly resolve any incidents that may arise.
New Technology with Your Safety in Mind
We're continuing to invest in new features to help drivers feel safer when driving on Uber.
Trip Navigation on Tesla Displays: Drivers and couriers with Teslas can now connect their car's display to the Uber app for a seamless driving experience. Once a trip or delivery is accepted, the route information will automatically be sent to their Tesla display, making turn-by-turn navigation easier and safer to follow.
Handsfree Prompts: Now, drivers using iOS can use Siri to customize voice-prompted shortcuts in the app, such as calling a rider, going online, and more - totally hands-free.
PIN Verification: In addition, drivers will now be able to turn on PIN verification to confirm they're picking up the correct rider. Riders will need to provide the PIN to the driver before the trip can start.
Guest Riders: Pickups can be stressful and confusing when the rider is different from the person who requested the ride. To make this easier, even if the guest doesn't have the app, drivers will be able to communicate with them directly via phone and in-app messaging.
Fairness
We know that to be the best platform for flexible work, we must also be the fairest. That's why, last year, we announced major changes to our deactivation processes. Today, we announced more improvements:
Prioritizing Safety and Respect for Drivers
Encouraging Better Behavior from Riders, Restaurants & Customers: We're stepping up our efforts to encourage better on-trip behavior from riders. If a driver reports a rider for rude or inappropriate behavior, we'll soon send the rider a warning and tips from real drivers on how they can improve for their next ride. They'll receive this via email and an in-app pop-up screen during their next trip.
We'll also be sharing important information to delivery customers, restaurants, grocery stores, and other establishments on Eats to explain what respectful interactions with couriers look like.
As always, users who do not follow our Community Guidelines or whose ratings fall below a certain level may lose access to the platform.
Choosing to Block Riders: We're piloting the option for drivers to block a rider if they rate a trip 2 or 3 stars. This new option is in addition to our existing policy of automatically unmatching drivers and riders any time drivers rate a ride 1 star.
Getting alerts and sharing info when your account is at risk
We want to ensure that drivers and couriers are confident that their side of the story is being heard, particularly before a potential deactivation decision. Coming soon, drivers and couriers will be able to share additional information as soon as they see a safety report from a rider and before it affects their account status.
More Clarity on Where Rider Fares Go
Drivers deserve to have a better understanding of their earnings. So, we're adding an in-app feature to make it crystal clear where every dollar a rider pays is going on a weekly basis.
Uber's portion has stayed relatively flat over the years, but some drivers may not realize that a growing piece of the pie is going towards local government taxes and fees, as well as the cost of commercial auto insurance (a requirement in all 50 states, which Uber covers on rideshare drivers' behalf).
Ease
With the first app redesign since 2018, we're making the app an easier day-to-day experience. See an overview of all features included in our app redesign here.
Introducing the Driver App Redesign
We are excited to redesign the look and feel of the Uber Driver app to make the everyday experiences of drivers and couriers more seamless. Over the coming weeks, they will start to see significant updates to make it easier to plan ahead, accept the trips they want, and track their progress. This includes revamping the homescreen, so drivers and couriers will now have clearer guidance on whether now is a good time to go online. Plus, key sections of the app, such as Earnings and Inbox, are now just a tap away.
This is just the start, and drivers can expect to see more throughout the next year.
More Earning Opportunities for Couriers
We've redesigned the in-app Work Hub so it's easier than ever for everyone to sign up for new opportunities - whether it's a streamlined process for shopping for grocery orders or deliveries needing insulated bags. Couriers can also now more easily opt-in to receive alcohol delivery requests, bringing more orders that can have higher earnings and tips.
Improved Navigation Tools for an Easier Journey
Every second we save and every stressor we ease add up to a big difference for drivers and couriers.
Predicting Future Traffic Patterns: Building on our existing technology that incorporates current traffic data, later this year we're launching a new feature for drivers and couriers this fall that will factor in future traffic patterns when calculating fares and ETAs. This will help them make more informed decisions about which rides to accept and better plan their time on the road.
Pick-Up Optimization: We'll also be rolling out a new feature to guide drivers and riders towards main roads or convenient corners, instead of navigating a maze of side streets.
Improved Biking Navigation: Couriers delivering on a bike will soon see navigation right in the app, so there's no longer a need to switch to a third-party app. They will also see a more detailed street-level view as they approach their destination.
Photos to Facilitate Easier Deliveries: We now ask customers to provide more detailed information about their house or building, including photos, to ensure a swift delivery. In addition, couriers can now see aerial satellite views of pickup and dropoff locations, and toggle back and forth between the standard map and a satellite mode in their Uber Driver app.
At Uber, our north star is to be the best platform in the world for flexible work, which means we aim to build the safest, fairest, and easiest app.
We will always continue to push ourselves to innovate and enhance the Driver app, ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of the drivers and couriers who use it.