Uber self-driving cars were reportedly in 37 crashes before fatal incident
Prior to a March 2018 fatal crash, Uber self-driving cars were involved in 37 crashes, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Uber suspended its autonomous car program after the fatal crash, but has resumed testing on a limited basis.
Digital Trends Live: AirPods Pro, Google moves on Fitbit, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, hosts Greg Nibler and Chris DeGraw discuss the top stories trending in tech, including Apple’s AirPods Pro, Google makes a bid for Fitbit, Uber Money, team-building robots, smiling pets, and more.
Digital Trends Live: Apple’s new AirPods, fresh Uber Eats features, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dig into the biggest trending tech topics of the day, including Apple’s warning to iPhone 5 users, Sony looking to sell PS Vue, Uber Eats’ new features, Samsung’s “Space-Selfie” balloon crashes, the Air Force’s secretive X-37B, and more.
Uber Eats is close to delivering your dinner using a drone
Along with announcing Uber Cash Monday, Uber shared a few more details about its plans to bring drone delivery to Uber Eats. Uber unveiled the design for the drones at the Forbes 30 under 30 summit. The drones will have rotating wings with six rotors and will be able to take off and land vertically.
Uber gets further into the cash game with Uber Money app and debit card
Uber announced a new division of its business Monday called Uber Money, a digital wallet and debit and credit card aimed at drivers on its platform. The new financial products are designed to help drivers get paid faster, and manage money better. The debit account doesn’t require a minimum balance or have overdraft fees.
Uber Eats serves up foodie experiences in a test for new feature
Meal-delivery app Uber Eats is testing a new feature that offers experiences such as cookery classes and meals at swish restaurants, as Uber seeks to take its business beyond ridesharing. Uber Moments appears as an option within the main Uber Eats app as part of a monthlong trial for customers in San Francisco.
The best cars for Uber
Driving for a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft is a great way to make extra money, but you won't earn much if you spend all of your profits on fuel and maintenance. Here, we've rounded up the best options for those looking for a car that expertly balances safety, fuel economy, and comfort.
Uber is now arguing that it doesn’t actually have any drivers
In light of AB5, a new California law that will require Uber to classify its drivers as employees, The Washington Post has uncovered a long history of the rideshare company referring to drivers instead as independent, third-party transportation providers in various court cases.
Uber Pet allows furry passengers to ride with you for an extra fee
Whether you’re taking your four-legged friend to the vet or the dog park, they can now ride along with you with Uber’s new Uber Pet feature. Riders can select the Uber Pet option within the app to find pet-friendly drivers that are willing to accommodate furry friends of all kinds -- for an added fee.
Uber Copter is now available to everyone with the Uber app — in NY City
Anyone in New York City with the Uber app can now request a helicopter ride between Manhattan and JFK Airport. Costing around $200, the flight takes eight minutes, with Uber cars completing the trip at both ends. Uber sees the service as a stepping stone to its proposed Uber Air service using small, electric aircraft.
Uber might let you record the audio of your ride if the driver is being creepy
Uber is testing a new way to make its riders feel safer by allowing them to record their rides. Part of Uber’s Safety Toolkit section, the built-in audio recorder will allow people to record misbehaving drivers or any other conversations where riders may feel uncomfortable.
Uber and EVgo team up to increase use of electric cars in ridesharing
As part of an ongoing effort to get more drivers to use electric cars, Uber is partnering with EVgo to increase access to charging stations. The two companies plan to launch a series of pilot programs to make that happen. Uber previously announced incentives for drivers who made the switch to EVs.
Uber investigators were forbidden from reporting criminal allegations to police
A new report reveals that Uber's internal investigation team that handles customer complaints of crimes like sexual assault and rape are “forbidden” from reporting allegations against drivers to authorities. Uber won’t remove a driver from the platform unless they get three strikes for “bad behavior.”
Digital Trends Live: Facebook’s new Portal, self-driving Ubers go to Dallas
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we break down the biggest trending tech stories of the day, including Facebook’s new Portal devices and Portal TV, Uber’s self-driving cars head to Dallas (with a driver), The Big Bang Theory goes to HBO Max, The Navy confirms UFOs, and more.
Uber’s new RideCheck feature could turn out to be a lifesaver
Following 12 months of testing, Uber is rolling out its RideCheck feature to all of its riders and drivers across the U.S. RideCheck uses a smartphone's sensors to monitor a vehicle’s movement. If the system detects something is amiss, it will contact the vehicle's occupants to check if everything is OK.
Uber’s self-driving cars head to Dallas, but they’ll be driven in manual mode
Uber is taking its self-driving vehicles to the streets of Dallas, Texas, but they won't be driven in autonomous mode at the start. Instead, its Volvo SUVs will use human drivers to collect data to help it build the high-definition maps that power its self-driving system.
Every other U.S. state should follow California’s lead on gig economy laws
With California's gig economy legislation now the law in that state, it's time the rest of the country follows and protects gig economy workers. No regulation sets a bad precedent that other industries might follow, Digital Trends' Ed Oswald argues.
Uber says drivers aren’t an essential part of its business
Uber’s top lawyer said it would not comply with a California bill that would force it to treat its contract drivers as employees, claiming they are not a core part of the company’s business. Chief legal officer Tony West said that the company would not reclassify drivers under California Assembly Bill 5.
California’s gig economy bill could fundamentally change Uber and Lyft
Legislators in California just passed a bill requiring app-based companies like Uber and Lyft to treat their contractors the same as regular employees. Under the bill, contractors would be eligible for basic protections like minimum-wage requirements, health benefits, and Social Security.
14 women sue Lyft after drivers allegedly sexually assaulted them
Fourteen women have filed a lawsuit against Lyft for allegedly being raped and sexually assaulted by their rideshare drivers. The victims are alleging that the ridesharing company doesn’t do enough to protect female passengers and have failed to cooperate with law enforcement. They also say Lyft could add more features to improve safety.
Ex-Uber self-driving car whiz charged with stealing trade secrets from Google
Anthony Levandowski, the former head of Uber's self-driving car division, has been indicted on 33 criminal counts of stealing intellectual property. The American government claims he downloaded trade secrets from Google before leaving the company in 2016. He pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers claim he's innocent.
You can now combine transit with ridesharing and biking in Google Maps
Google has announced a new feature for Google Maps that will allow users to combine transit directions with ridesharing and biking. The new Mixed Modes feature is rolling out to customers in 30 countries in the next few weeks, and more countries will be added in the near future.
Here’s why your Uber or Lyft car always seems to be a Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars sold in the United States, and not just with retail buyers. Uber and Lyft drivers love the Camry for its reliability, according to a new report. The Toyota Camry made up 38% of rideshare vehicles in New York City in 2018.
Digital Trends Live: Apple wants Intel’s modems, Toyota’s Olympic robots
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the biggest trending stories in tech, including Apple’s plan to buy Intel’s modem business, Uber’s monthly subscription plan, flying over the English Channel on a flyboard, Toyota’s line of Olympics robots and autonomous cars, and more.
For $25 a month, Uber will give you rides, rent you a scooter, and grab dinner
Uber is quickly becoming more than just a rideshare company. It's working on a monthly subscription plan that gives users access to discounted rides, free Uber Eats food delivery, and free JUMP bike and scooter rides. The plan is being tested in San Francisco and Chicago.
Digital Trends Live: Netflix loses subscribers, Uber’s in-car shopping, and more
On this episode of Digial Trends Live, host Greg Nibler and DT Producer Adrien Warner discuss the biggest trending stories in tech, including Netlfix’s subscriber loss, Uber’s in-car shopping service, Microsoft’s HoloLens language translations, a SpaceX rocket bursts into flames, and more.
Uber’s in-car shopping service now sells way more than just snacks
The Cargo Box launched in 2018 to offer Uber drivers an easy way to sell snacks and drinks to riders. The service is now expanding to include lots more items, including tech products and travel accessories. With each purchase, riders receive 10% back in Uber Cash, while drivers receive a commission.
Uber driver becomes unwitting getaway driver for a gas station robber
A rookie Uber driver unwittingly played the part of getaway driver for a man who robbed a gas station recently. The first he knew about it was when cops surrounded his home and demanded he come out with his hands up. The robber used his Uber account, making it pretty easy for the cops to make an arrest.
Uber’s new Comfort tier lets you stretch your legs, ride in silence, and more
Uber recently launched a quiet mode as part of its Black service that let your driver know you didn’t want to chat during the ride. The same feature is now part of Uber Comfort, a brand-new tier of service that also guarantees newer cars and more legroom, among other benefits.
Uber puts its bike- and scooter-sharing services front and center in main app
As part of its efforts to become your one-stop shop for city transportation, Uber is starting to add information for its bike and scootersharing services to its main ridesharing app. It means users in some cities will be able to see the availability of nearby two-wheelers on the map in the Uber app.
Airbus-backed Voom could take on Uber’s on-demand flying taxi service
Airbus-backed Voom says it's planning to take its on-demand helicopter taxi to more U.S. cities this fall. Currently operating in San Francisco and two cities in Latin America, Voom goes with the tagline: "Book in seconds, fly in minutes." Uber is about to launch a similar service between NY City and JFK airport.
Uber drivers reportedly triggering higher fares through Surge Club
Uber drivers are reportedly participating in a so-called Surge Club to artificially trigger higher fares for the ride-sharing service. Many drivers said that they do not want to join the shady practice, but they are forced to do so due to the pay cuts that they have suffered over recent years.
Uber Eats’ drone delivery service could see Big Macs hit speeds of 70 mph
Uber Eats is testing meal delivery using drones. In a bid to overcome safety concerns, the company said it would use the flying machine to carry meals to a safe landing zone close to the customer's home, where a waiting courier would complete the delivery using ground transportation.
Digital Trends Live: Facebook’s Study, Uber’s fast-food drones, deepfake Zuck
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, DT Content Manager Hanif Jackson joins host Greg Nibler to dig into the trending tech news of the day, including Facebook’s new Study app, Uber’s fast food drone delivery, a new Legend of Zelda game, an E3 update, and deep fake Zuck.