BENGALURU Reuters -- U.S. ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Ltd said on Thursday it would roll out a feature that will allow users in India to book rides via WhatsApp.
It could help Uber tap into the more than 500 million user base of WhatsApp owned by Meta Platforms in India.
A new service will be introduced this week that gives people the option to book Uber ride via an official WhatsApp chatbot, Uber said in a blog post: ubr.to 31 e 9 mC 7.
Uber has been in the Asian country for the past eight years and is now available in 70 cities.
Riders will no longer need to download or use the Uber app. User registration, booking a ride, and getting a trip receipt will be managed within the WhatsApp chat interface, Uber said.
Users can book a ride through WhatsApp's business account number, scanning a barcode, or clicking a link directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat.
Riders who book trips via Uber app will get the same safety features and insurance protections as they do with the same safety features and insurance protections, the company said. The WhatsApp chat flow will inform the user about safety guidelines, including how to contact Uber in case of emergencies.
The feature will initially be launched in Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, and then expand to other locations next year.
Uber said that Indian languages will be included in the near future.