Uber, the grab-a-ride app, will introduce new safety features following a reported incident of passenger rape by a driver in India.
After having their services temporarily halted by authorities in New Delhi and facing another possible ban in the state of Maharashtra, Uber has addressed passenger safety concerns by adding a panic button to the mobile app.
Should customers feel threatened or put in danger while on an Uber ride, they can summon the police for assistance immediately by pressing the panic button. The feature will go live on Feb. 11, Wednesday, according to the Register.
Another feature that Uber will be offering is a "safety net" which will allow Uber passengers to share their location, destination and other ride details with five other people.
Indian authorities have been mulling over the possibility of having Uber install physical panic buttons in its vehicles, but its feasibility has been questioned, as the cabs are not owned by Uber itself. Physical buttons might also be subject to wear and tear. "There is no way to ensure that they are kept in working condition across all the cars in the city", Uber's Mumbai General Manager expressed in a statement.
Uber, however, would support the physical buttons if the drivers themselves would be responsible for installation and if the buttons dialed the police directly, the Associated Press reported as cited by the US News.
A passenger in New Delhi sued the company last January, claiming she was raped by a driver while taking an Uber ride last December.
Uber covers more than 250 cities around the world and is valued at around $40 billion.