A partnership by two popular applications namely, Uber India and WhatsApp, was announced recently, on December 2, Thursday. This collaboration will enable people in India to book an Uber drive via WhatsApp. The feature is first rolling out in Lucknow.
More about the Collab
An official WhatsApp chat robot has been launched to facilitate the fresh service. This is first introduced and made available in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow.
Uber India has said, “The integration, a global-first for Uber, is rolling out first in Lucknow. We will then introduce it to users in New Delhi, and look forward to going India-wide next year”.
It further added, “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 application. Everything from user registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt, will be managed within the WhatsApp Chat interface”.
However, drivers on Uber’s platform will not witness any alternative experience with rides/drives that are booked via WhatsApp’s platform.
How to book an Uber ride via WhatsApp?
Users of the social media application, WhatsApp, can book an Uber ride by simply messaging Uber’s business account number, scanning a QR code, or directing clicking a link that leads to an Uber-WhatsApp conversation/chat.
The available chatbot will ask the ride-seeker to provide pickup and drop locations. The user also has the facility to choose the kind of ride they would like to book. Further, the chatbot will also display fare information, and provide the driver’s expected time of arrival.
An Uber statement has said, “Riders get the same safety features and insurance protections as those who booked trips via the Uber application, directly. On booking, they will be informed of the name of the driver, and their license plate; be able to track the location of the driver en route to the pickup point and be able to speak to the driver anonymously using a masked number.”
