Uber Looks Beyond Smartphones To Catch Up With Ola
Uber will soon allow users to book a cab by making calls for pick-ups at designated spots.
Ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies is moving beyond smartphones in its battle for users with Ola.
The taxi aggregator will soon allow users to book a cab by making calls for pick-ups at designated spots, the San Francisco-based company said today. “Calling over phone is still a natural experience for emerging markets, and some of the riders prefer booking a ride through calls,” said Daniel Graf, vice-president and global head, product, at Uber.
It’s piloting Uber hotspots at popular zones in Pune, and will soon expand the service to the rest of the country, and globally. The company also introduced a web-based version of Uber for users who don’t have an app or own a basic smartphone.
Uber is seeking new users among three-quarters of India’s 118 crore mobile services subscribers who, according to the telecom regulator, aren’t connected to the web. While smartphones sales are growing, over two-thirds of devices sold in India are still feature phones.
The American ride-hailing company offers services in about 29 cities in Asia’s third largest economy and has more than 450,000 drivers on board. In comparison, Ola is present in 110 cities with over 800,000 drivers.
Uber will bring its other global offerings to India in phases, Graf said. That includes its autonomous driving technology.