Uber to permit customers to guide rides by way of WhatsApp in India

US ride-hailing large Uber is rolling out a brand new service in India that provides customers the choice to guide an Uber experience by way of an official Uber WhatsApp Chatbot, a primary for the corporate and an growth of WhatsApp’s capabilities within the nation.

“Starting this week, we are rolling out a new service that gives people the option to book an Uber ride via an official Uber WhatsApp chatbot. Riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app. Everything from user registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt will be managed within the WhatsApp chat interface,” mentioned Uber.

The integration, a global-first for Uber, is rolling out first in Lucknow. It will then introduce it to customers in New Delhi, and sit up for going India-wide subsequent 12 months. The Meta-owned messenger service WhatsApp has greater than half a billion customers in India, its largest single consumer base.

How it really works

WhatsApp customers can guide an Uber experience via three easy methods: messaging to Uber’s enterprise account quantity; scanning a QR code; or clicking a hyperlink on to open an Uber WhatsApp chat. They will then be requested to offer pickup and drop off areas. Users will obtain upfront fare data and the motive force’s anticipated time of arrival.

Riders get the identical security options and insurance coverage protections as those that guide journeys by way of the Uber app straight. They can be knowledgeable of the title of the motive force and license plate of the motive force on reserving; be capable of monitor the situation of the motive force en path to the pickup level and be capable of communicate to the motive force anonymously utilizing a masked quantity.

The WhatsApp chat movement will inform the rider about security pointers, together with easy methods to attain Uber in case of emergencies (sort assist on-trip). If the consumer selects the “emergency” choice whereas on the journey, they are going to obtain an inbound name from Uber’s buyer help staff. Uber riders may also have entry to the security line numbers to name the Uber staff, if wanted, till 30 minutes after the journey ends.

Drivers on Uber’s platform, nevertheless, will see no change of their expertise with rides booked by way of WhatsApp.

Currently, this feature to guide a experience by way of WhatsApp will solely be out there in English language however it will likely be expanded to different Indian languages quickly. Additionally, the service is accessible to each new and present customers who registered with solely a cellphone quantity on Uber.

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