Uber Japan Facilitates Elderly Transportation for Family Members
In an effort to cater to the needs of elderly users, Uber Japan has announced a new service called "senior accounts." This service, initially available in the UK and Japan, aims to make ride-hailing more accessible and safer for older individuals.
Functionality of the Service
The senior accounts service offers a simplified version of the Uber app, designed with larger text, easier-to-tap buttons, and fewer steps for booking rides. It also includes features such as saved places (like home, GP, favorite shops) and step-by-step guidance.
Family members or caregivers can use the "family profiles" feature to invite an older adult to set up an account. They can then remotely book or manage rides, pay for the trips using their own payment method, live-track rides, and communicate with the driver if needed. Elderly users who may not have credit cards can also access the service, as family members can register their credit cards as a payment method, and a spending limit can be set for the elderly users' accounts.
Planned Rollout
The service is currently available in the UK and Japan, with plans to roll out similar services in other countries following the introduction in the United States in June. The specific countries and timelines for the expansion have not been detailed in the available information.
Uber Japan expects the new service to encourage older people to use its ride-hailing platform more frequently, making it easier for them to attend hospital visits or go shopping. The service is available through the Uber Japan app, and it is hoped that it will provide much-needed assistance to elderly users.
References
[1] Uber. (2021). Uber for Elderly Users: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.uber.com/news/uber-for-elderly-users/
[2] The Guardian. (2021). Uber launches new service for elderly users in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/01/uber-launches-new-service-for-elderly-users-in-japan
[3] TechCrunch. (2021). Uber launches new service for elderly users. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/01/uber-launches-new-service-for-elderly-users/
- Uber Japan's senior accounts service, focusing on health-and-wellness concerns, caters to elderly users, offering a simplified app design with large text, easy-to-tap buttons, and fewer booking steps.
- This service, available in the UK and Japan, includes features such as saved places, step-by-step guidance, and a 'family profiles' option for family members or caregivers to manage rides, set spending limits, and communicate with drivers on the elderly user's behalf.
- The company plans to expand this elderly-friendly service to other countries, including the United States in June, though specific countries and timelines have yet to be revealed.
- The service, aimed at improving family-health by making hospital visits and shopping more accessible, can be accessed via the Uber Japan app on smartphones, leveraging technology as a tool for the aging population's assistance.
