Uber to launch audio recording facility to address safety issues
A raft of high profile cases in the US including a murder prompt tech giant to act
After Uber's recent announcement regarding consolidating and up-rating their app, it has emerged that the Tech giant may be testing an audio recording feature which will allow riders to report their driver should an issue surrounding safety arise.
Hong Kong based tech blogger and developer Jane Mamchun Wong said on Twitter: "Uber is testing a tool called ‘Record Audio’ for you to use if you're ‘uncomfortable with the ride’.”
She followed up by saying: "i didn't start recording because it was an actual Uber ride when i found this unreleased feature.”
The "record audio" feature is tucked away in the Uber app’s safety toolkit and includes a facility to share your trip status, contact the emergency services and report issues.
On Thursday, 26 September, Uber announced that they were going to be up-rating their app and adding new features, which included:
Verify Your Ride: To make sure you get in the right car, you’ll now be able to choose to receive a unique four-digit PIN to verbally provide to your driver. The driver will only be able to start your trip in the app once the correct PIN has been entered. They’re also developing new technology that uses ultrasound waves to automatically verify you’re in the right car, no PIN needed.
On-Trip Reporting, where a rider will see a “Report Safety Incident” option in their safety toolkit that will let them report a safety issue during their trip. Uber’s safety team will follow up after the trip.
Text to US emergency services, where an emergency button in the Uber app will connect riders and drivers directly to emergency services in case of an emergency. A text message facility is also available in cities and counties that support that technology.
The new features comes on the back of high profile incidents in the US. Image Source TaxiPoint
