Grab taps AI for safety
With the peak road travel season during the holidays approaching, ride-hailing service Grab is ramping up the security of rides through its application with two new advanced safety features — audio protection and driver selfie verification.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our approach goes beyond the platform — we take an active approach to ensure everyone has a safe ride. We have ongoing dialogues with our passengers, driver-partners, and government stakeholders, taking an active role in ensuring safe rides across the industry,” Grab Philippines’ head of mobility EJ de la Vega said.
The features are innovative. Audio Protection allows users to opt-in for audio recordings during rides, securely storing them in case they are needed to resolve disputes or address safety concerns.
Through artificial intelligence (AI), this tool is expected to evolve by detecting in-vehicle audio signals in real-time to identify safety risks and enhance response mechanisms.
In addition, the new driver selfie verification will conduct random checks throughout the day to confirm driver identity, supplementing the pre-trip selfie checks already in place. This ensures that only registered drivers are operating on the platform.
These tools are part of Grab’s comprehensive safety suite, which includes the Safety Center with an Emergency SOS button, a Report an Issue function, and real-time trip monitoring. The app also allows passengers to share trip details with trusted contacts via the Share Your Ride feature.
In collaboration with the Philippine National Police, Grab said it is also offering road safety seminars, crime prevention workshops, and streamlined processes for driver clearance.
Additionally, in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women, Grab has developed training modules to educate drivers on their rights and responsibilities under the Safe Spaces Act, promoting gender-sensitive and safe interactions.
As the holiday season draws near, Grab has committed to further enhance its safety measures to protect its users.