Uber Tested Two New Services in Seattle and Denver

Uber ridesharing service is testing its new services. The color coded system in Seattle service and car rental for driver in Denver.

According to a press release from Uber Newsroom, the technology called SPOT, allows riders and drivers to connect through the use of color. The system will provide Uber driver partners with SPOT device attached to their car windshields. The color of SPOT device in driver's car will be matched with the color that is selected by rider upon trip request.

While the rider is waiting, he can even light up their phone screen by pressing and holding on the color to help the driver quickly identify them. When the driver arrives, the SPOT device on his or her windshield will glow in the rider's chosen color. SPOT is Uber's latest experiment to trim down waiting time, and making Uber pickups as seamless as possible.

This technology is helping rider to identify the right car in the crowd, as Engadget reported that SPOT helps to identify car on the dark and busy street. It is because for people who use ridesharing service most often had to guess their ride, even though they know the model and license plate number. This system help both rider and driver to quickly find each other.

Although the experiment is only available in Seattle, it is possible to expand the system in other cities as well. Although this may cost Uber a fair amount to equip its partners with a SPOT device, this will help both its partner and customers alike. Drivers should not wait too long for the rider to show up and riders will get them to their destination faster because of the system.

Recently, Uber has been trying to improve its service. In order to increase more customers to use its ridesharing service, Uber needs more cars and drivers. An effort to add more drivers is being tested in Denver by partnering with car rental service.

Fortune reported that Uber gives its approved drivers to access discounted rental cars through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The program enable Uber drivers to rent a vehicle for $210 per week, excluded taxes and fees. Drivers have to pay a $40 non-refundable startup fee, and provide a $500 deposit that will be returned when the rental vehicle is returned in good condition.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car provides a selection of low-mileage cars from Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus, in a week rental agreement. If the drivers are in good standing with both Uber and Enterprise, they can continue to use the car for up to four weeks. After that, drivers must return the car for monthly inspection and mileage check.

Uber is expecting the tested services in Seattle and Denver to run well, thus increasing both of its customers and drivers.