Uber launches new features to help simplify pickups

Pickups have usually been a hassle in ride-hailing services. In order to simplify them, Uber is introducing new features to help drivers better connect with riders.

Ride-hailing service Uber is launching few new features that are aimed to better connect drivers with riders and minimize the need for cancellation of the trip.

One of those tools include ‘Spotlight’ that lets the riders turn their phone screens into a bright specific color, making it easier to drivers to spot the rider in crowded areas or at night time. “When you’re in crowded areas or it’s nighttime, it can be hard for you and your driver to find one another," senior product manager of Ride Experience at Uber, Ryan Yu, said explaining how the feature works.

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“With Spotlight, you can light up your phone with a special color specific to your driver. Your driver will receive a message telling them what color to look for, so you can just hold your phone in the air,” he continued, as per Daily Mail.

Another feature launched by Uber is guaranteed on-time scheduled pickups where the riders can be assured that their driver will reach on time. Riders can schedule a ride and set a time period that they want the driver to arrive.

If the driver fails to arrive on the specified time, Uber will give the user $10 credit for next trip. As per the company, the feature should give riders greater peace of mind if they’re trying to catch an early flight or make an important meeting.

Moreover, Uber has also added ‘Pickup Messages’ by giving riders and drivers the option to send pre-written messages. The riders can inform the drivers that they’ll be right there or notify them what they are wearing to make them easy to spot the rider. These messages tend to reassure the driver about the rider, leading to fewer cancellations, as per Tech Crunch.

“Sometimes you want to give your driver a little extra detail ahead of the pickup. Now it’s even easier to share a tip (‘I’m wearing a red jacket’), or send your driver a quick pre-populated update like ‘be right there’ with a single tap,” Yu said.

Uber is also looking forward to add automatic translations for international drivers to easily communicate with riders despite of their language. For now, starting today, these features will arrive for Android and iOS users in Canada and the US.