At an event in San Francisco last Thursday, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi unveiled the new vision that should lead to a major update to the Uber app. This actually means that brings all of Uber's existing projects, including food delivery, transit passes and e-bikes, under one roof in one unified Uber app.

MaaS technology is coming faster than expected

While countless 'discussion groups' in the Netherlands are thinking about how MaaS apps should look in the future San Francisco has already taken the first steps to test worldwide with a total integration of all kinds of services. For example, in the United States, information about public transport is already shown in the Uber app in some cities in combination with the desired taxi ride.

"We want to be the operating system of your life ”, Khosrowshahi said.

According to the spokesperson for Uber this will be limited to Uber Eats and Rides for now. In the future, it may also include other services. Uber will test the new experience in nine countries around the world, including the US with the new Uber app. Those tests will begin in October for a limited number of users.

The update also comes just two days after Lyft, Uber's big ride-sharing counterpart, also announced a redesign of its app. Lyft, which does not have a food delivery service, focused the new app experience on proposing alternative travel methods for a car, such as a bicycle, scooter or public transport.

Security measures

Uber's coverage follows the announcement of a slew of new security measures that Uber is releasing, including a four-digit PIN for customers to ensure they get into the right car with the right driver. Uber also updates its facial recognition technology to ensure that its verified drivers are indeed the ones driving.

The inhibiting factor of public transport companies

It is now clear that rolling out MaaS in the Netherlands is a difficult process. A number of 'pilots' have been worked out, but a company like Uber is not afraid of that.

"What is striking is the attitude of public transport companies that want to protect their data with all violence and put all their energy into it to have this regulated at European level. Collaboration in innovation for the provision of services, payment transactions and ticketing is far from being considered".

Companies such as Uber that do not suffer from this can therefore also take the lead in the MaaS field. Here too, the sector will watch and then say that it is not possible for Uber to do. And that while the consumer still has a different opinion.

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