Uber and WhatsApp introduced a partnership in India, permitting individuals to e book an Uber journey by way of Uber’s official WhatsApp chatbot. The mixing is a global-first for Uber and it’ll make reserving an Uber journey as simple as sending a WhatsApp message.
Constructed on WhatsApp Enterprise Platform, the partnership will develop entry to Uber’s mobility providers in one of many firm’s largest worldwide markets. It’s being rolled out on a pilot foundation within the northern metropolis of Lucknow first, and can be expanded to different Indian cities quickly.
Speaking in regards to the partnership, Nandini Maheshwari, Sr. Director, Enterprise Growth, Uber APAC stated, “We wish to make it as simple as attainable for all Indians to take an Uber journey, and to do this we have to meet them on platforms they’re comfy with. Our partnership with WhatsApp does simply that, giving riders a brand new strategy to get a journey by a easy, acquainted and trusted channel. We’re thrilled at this global-first integration for Uber, and stay up for rolling it out throughout India.”
Welcoming this partnership, Abhijit Bose, Head of WhatsApp India stated, “The WhatsApp Enterprise Platform has been an necessary lever for companies that wish to construct a direct join with their customers. The Uber expertise on WhatsApp is easy, acquainted, and relatable for customers and has the potential to speed up adoption of Uber with a brand new class of riders in India. We’re excited in regards to the potential of this partnership and stay up for creating extra such customised options for services throughout sectors in India.”
With this integration riders will not must obtain or use the Uber app. Every little thing from consumer registration, reserving a journey, and getting a visit receipt can be managed throughout the WhatsApp chat interface.
WhatsApp customers can e book an Uber journey by 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’ll then be requested to present pickup and drop off areas. Customers 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 e book journeys by way of the Uber app straight. They are going to be knowledgeable of the identify of the motive force and license plate of the motive force on reserving; have the ability to monitor the situation of the motive force en path to the pickup level and have the ability to converse to the motive force anonymously utilizing a masked quantity.
The WhatsApp chat stream will inform the rider about security pointers, together with how you can 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 crew. Uber riders may also have entry to its security line quantity to name, if wanted, till 30 minutes after the journey ends.
Drivers on Uber’s platform, nonetheless, will see no change of their expertise with rides booked by way of WhatsApp.
At the moment, this feature to e book a journey by way of WhatsApp will solely be out there in English language however will probably be expanded to different Indian languages quickly. Moreover, the service is offered to each new and current customers who registered with solely a cellphone quantity on Uber.
Learn how to e book an Uber journey by way of WhatsApp:
- Messaging the quantity straight
- Utilizing a hyperlink to get to the chat window
- Scanning a QR code to get to the chat window.
