Uber announces the addition of two new offerings to its current range of delivery services to continue assisting the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American multinational ride-hailing company introduced Uber Connect and Uber Direct through its Uber Newsroom last Sunday.
The Uber Connect is a new “no-contact” service that should allow Uber’s customers to have packages delivered to other people.
As for Uber Direct, it lets buyers order from a select list of retailers, and then have their items delivered to their home.
Apart from the website announcement, Uber also posted about the new services via its official Twitter page.
To help people around the world get the items they need while staying home, we’re launching a new no-contact product.
Uber Connect allows people to easily send packages to one another from the Uber app.
Learn more → https://t.co/IcnqsHitGx#MoveWhatMatters pic.twitter.com/1HJsyF23Y4
— Uber (@Uber) April 20, 2020
Using its network to connect packages
With most folks sheltering themselves at home from the threat of the coronavirus health crisis, it has become more and more important for people to stay connected, not only via the Internet, but also through the act of giving, specifically through sending packages to relatives, friends, and even co-workers.
This is where Uber Connect comes in. Through this service, users can send care packages, household supplies, or any gift item to lift a loved one’s spirits.
This new feature has now been made available as an option in the Uber app, which means that any mobile user who has the app installed on their smartphone can start taking full advantage of the service, that is, as long as they are based in a supported city.
According to Uber’s announcement, Connect has already launched in 25 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Australia.
Order in, get toasty (as pie), and enjoy 3 hours of @McDonalds Baked Apple Pie this holiday season. Who wants pies? 🥧🥧🥧
📺 → https://t.co/PlntrkH7wS pic.twitter.com/XSM7PwDYjq
— Uber Eats (@UberEats) December 18, 2019
Building upon Uber Eats’ success
Uber Direct is a direct result of the company’s decision to expand its existing Uber Eats service into grocery deliveries.
For the new service, Uber decided to join forces with various retailers and manufacturers across the globe in order to come up with a safe and quick means for delivering goods not only to their customers but also to their own branches and teams as well.
For customers, they can safely order items from selected retailers using Uber Direct and expect their purchases to be delivered to their home, with zero physical contact with delivery personnel.
In Uber’s announcement, it has mentioned that Uber Direct is already live in the United States, Portugal, and Australia.
Continuing to deal with COVID-19 impact
Like many of today’s tech brands, Uber’s operations continue to be adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, it had to shut down its carpooling service in the United States and Canada in order to protect both its customers and its fleet of drivers.
Still, the company is one of many that are using its resources and technology to lend its hand in the fight. More than two weeks ago, it had pledged to give 10 million free rides, as well as deliveries, to people who are most impacted by the crisis.
Image courtesy of Uber