Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec.2: Uber and WhatsApp on Thursday announced to establish a partnership in India, allowing users to book an Uber ride through the company’s official WhatsApp chatbot.
“The integration is a global-first for Uber and it will make booking an Uber ride as easy as sending a WhatsApp message,” a joint statement said.
The agreement, which is built on WhatsApp Business Platform, will boost access to Uber’s mobility services in one of the firm’s largest international markets, according to the business. It is being piloted in Lucknow for now and will be spread to other Indian towns in the near future.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for all Indians to take an Uber trip, and to do that we need to meet them on platforms they are comfortable with. Our partnership with WhatsApp does just that, giving riders a new way to get a ride through a simple, familiar and trusted channel,” said Senior Director, Business Development, Uber APAC, Nandini Maheshwari.
Head of WhatsApp India, Abhijit Bose, said, “The Uber experience on WhatsApp is simple, familiar, and relatable for users and has the potential to accelerate adoption of Uber with a new category of riders in India.”
This option to order a cab via WhatsApp is currently only available in English, but it will be expanded to other Indian languages in the near future. In addition, the service is available to both new and existing Uber users who merely have a phone number.
Riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app as a result of this integration. Everything will be managed through the WhatsApp chat interface, including user registration, booking a ride, and receiving a travel receipt.
How to use Whatsapp for ordering Uber cab:
WhatsApp users can book an Uber ride in one of three ways: by messaging Uber’s business account number, scanning a QR code, or immediately opening an Uber WhatsApp chat by clicking a link. They’ll be requested to provide pick-up and drop-off locations after that. Users will be given upfront fare information as well as the driver’s estimated arrival time.
Riders benefit from the same safety features and insurance coverage as those who book rides directly through the Uber app. They will be informed of the driver’s name and licence plate upon booking; they will be able to follow the driver’s whereabouts en way to the pickup site; and they will be able to communicate with the driver anonymously via a disguised number.
The rider would be informed about safety guidelines via WhatsApp, including how to contact Uber in the event of an emergency (type help on-trip). The user will receive an inbound call from Uber’s customer support staff if they select the “emergency” option while on the ride.
Until 30 minutes after the trip finishes, Uber riders will have access to the company’s safety line number, which they can call if necessary. Uber drivers, on the other hand, will continue to have the same experience with rides booked using WhatsApp.
