Uber now uses smartphones to detect possible car crashes in the US

Uber started testing an interesting safety feature last year that would allow its team to detect unexpected long stops or possible crashes using a smartphone’s GPS and other sensors like gyroscope and accelerometer.

One year after it debuted the beta test, Uber announced RideCheck is now live in the United States. The new feature is available for all Uber riders and drivers in the US, but the company has plans to expand it to more countries in the future.

Since every trip is on the map, Uber knows where and when you’re riding and who’s driving you to your destination. Using this particular data and other sensors in drivers’ smartphones, Uber’s technology can detect possible crashes or if a trip goes unusually off course.

Also, when a RideCheck is initiated, both a rider and driver will receive a notification asking if everything is alright. Through the app, either of the two can inform Uber that all is well, or take other actions like using the emergency button or reporting the issue to the Safety Line.

Uber says that in the event of a crash, it can also help expedite the insurance claims process. Also, the company promises improvements to the current technology through additional scenarios to RideCheck.