Facial recognition technology comes to Careem, making rides even safer

There has been an explosion in popularity of ride-hailing services like Careem and Uber in recent times.

But at the same time, many complaints have also arisen about safety of passengers using the services.

Taking the safety issue seriously, Careem, the popular ride-hailing app in the Middle East, has introduced a new facial recognition technology into its App, reported The Peninsula.

Biometric Update, a website which reports on advancement of safety technology around the world, said that Digital Barriers, a leading provider of intelligent security solutions, secured a contract for its facial recognition technology with Careem.

According to Forbes Middle East, the new technology will use the camera in the driver’s phone to match their identity as registered within the company’s records, which links drivers to their cars.

Careem co-founder Magnus Olsson said this would make ride-hailing safer.

While ride-hailing apps like Careem rely on a network of drivers who respond to the app user’s request for a ride, safety remains an issue. Careem boasts of over 80,000 drivers and conducts background checks on potential ones.

“When customers rely on a ride-hailing service or any other mode of transportation to go from point A to point B, they’re also placing their trust on the service provider for their safety and security,” Olsson said.

Careem’s contract with Digital Barriers runs until 2018.

Westtek.Co.uk reported that the software is also intended to help with Careem’s driver enrolment process.

Meanwhile, Computer Weekly reported that Careem was also about to team up with NEXT Future Transportation to bring battery-powered, self-driving electric pods to the Middle East.

The pods are expected to be safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly than current vehicles and would reduce congestion.

Careem, which operates in more than fifty cities, hit $1bn valuation in December following a $350m funding round led by Japan’s Rakuten and Saudi Telecom Company.

QL followers can get 20% off while booking rides with Careem using the promo code QATARLIVING. The offer can redeemed twice a month till the end of 2017.