To help increase rideshare safety, Ola is using the power of artificial intelligence to launch new safety-tech feature ‘Guardian’.

The first of its kind in New Zealand, Guardian uses real-time information to detect irregular activity like a possible crash, an unusually long stop, or an unexpected deviation from the intended route. Ola’s safety response team is alerted if something seems unusual and can contact both riders and drivers to assess the situation and offer any assistance that might be needed.

“We’re committed to developing innovations that help us provide the safest possible experience as well as solve some of the major issues that face rideshare globally,” says Ola NZ managing director, Brian Dewil.

“Ola is the first rideshare app in the world to have developed and implemented the kind of technology we have with Guardian and it will provide even more reassurance for our customers and drivers across New Zealand.”

The industry-leading innovation was designed by Ola’s global team as a part of the company’s ongoing commitment to safety. As Guardian is an ‘intelligent product’, built using machine learning, it is constantly collecting data and developing its ability to predict risk signals over time.

Guardian will build on the platform’s existing array of safety measures, such as its in-app emergency button and ‘start code’ features which send riders a unique four digit code after booking a ride to ensure they are paired with the right driver.

After what has been a tough year for the rideshare industry, Ola has also removed its service fee for Auckland drivers for the remainder of 2020, enabling them to take home 100 percent of the trip fare.

Guardian is set to roll out across all 14 of Ola’s locations in New Zealand early next year.