Uber has introduced Real-Time ID Check to South Africa, a new safety feature used to improve safety for both driver-partners and riders while on the road.
The technology works by prompting driver-partners to share a selfie before going online. Uber then compares this image to the photograph already on file with the account. This is achieved through advanced facial recognition technology.
The system first identifies a face, then it builds a feature set by focusing on key features, and finally compares the feature set to the validated image Uber has on file.
This all takes place within a few seconds. If the two images don’t match, the account is temporarily blocked while Uber looks into the situation. This helps Uber to ensure that the driver-partner using the app matches the account it has on file.
Real-time ID Check is able to assure riders that when they are picked up, the right person is behind the wheel. It also protects driver-partners from fraud, theft and risks to their account being compromised. Only the registered driver-partner can use and earn a profit from the app.
The innovation behind Real-Time ID started with experimentation with voice, facial and gesture recognition.
The quality of voice recognition decreased in noisy, high-traffic environments and was impractical for hearing and speech-impaired driver-partners. Gesture recognition tested well, but presented a steep learning curve as many are not used to this technology. However, the simple action of taking a selfie is a language that people all over the world understand.
While visual recognition has existed for a while, this is the first time it has been applied on such a scale to enhance security for both Uber driver-partners and riders.
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