Uber launches ‘Safety Toolkit’ features for riders in India

Uber says the updated platform will prioritise awareness and sensitization, and will make safety features more accessible and easier to use.

Here are some of the key features of Uber’s new Safety Toolkit (AFP)

Ride-sharing platform Uber on Thursday announced the launch of its comprehensive features "Safety Toolkit" for riders in India.

With keeping technology at beat, Uber aims to improving both awareness and usage rates of some of the existing as well as newly introduced features.

"At Uber, safety is a top priority and we look towards harnessing technology to solve for rider and driver safety concerns in more innovative ways. The roll-out of Safety Toolkit to millions of riders across India is an extension of this commitment to the community that we serve," said director, Product Management, Uber, Sachin Kansal.

He added that the updated platform will prioritise awareness and sensitization, and will make safety features more accessible and easier to use.

"A key feature that we are introducing today as part of the Safety Toolkit is 'Trusted Contacts', which offers riders the option to automatically share all or select late night trips with their family and loved ones," added Kansal.

Earlier in May, Uber launched these features in the US to determined feedback from thousands of riders.

Some of the key features are:

Safety Centre
-Riders can find safety tips built in partnership with law enforcement and learn about our driver screening processes, insurance protections, and community guidelines.

-This puts key safety information and features for riders all in one place, which riders tell us is helpful.

Trusted Contacts
-Riders tell us that our Share Trip feature provides peace of mind, yet it is underutilized and suffers from lack of awareness or visibility.

-Our new feature allows riders to designate up to 5 loved ones with whom they can be regularly prompted to Share Trip.

-Riders can modify the settings to share all trips, night-time only trips, or none at all

-This makes it easier than ever to share your trip so loved ones can follow along and ensure you've arrived safely while ensuring rider's privacy

Emergency button: While an emergency button was pre-existing on Uber App in India, however, this new placement under the shield button in the safety toolkit umbrella will offer a quicker swipe feature for riders during an unwanted emergency.

These changes will build on the safety benefits that ridesharing app already offers to cities, such as helping people avoid drunk driving, tracking every trip with GPS, interlinking with the safety apps of local police authorities where available and 24/7 feedback and response from our safety team.

Uber, however, aims to maximise the use of technology to bring transparency and accountability to strengthen safety of riders on each trip.