Uber’s app to trackdriving behavior with real time feedback

Uber has developed a new technology to track when drivers of the ride-hailing app go too fast, cut corners or brake harshly by monitoring the sensors in their smartphones. The software, part of an updated version of Uber’s app for drivers that is rolling out to dozens of cities during a test phase this week, will be able to monitor and provide feedback to drivers on their driving behavior and perhaps help them improve the same.

Along with braking and acceleration, drivers will also be warned when they attempt to drive too fast. A summary of the trip will also be generated that will include separate scores for acceleration and braking and a map highlighting the physical location of each incident.

In certain cities that are part of the test phase, Uber is also testing a feature that will detect when the drivers attempt to use their phones while driving. The company says that it is doing so, only to make sure that its drivers have some solid feedback to base their driving upon, rather than the one to five-star ratings given to them by their customers.

Though the drivers won’t face any negative results for low scores on the new safety measures during the test phase, the company says that it is an option for the future.

But the use of such technology could raise new concerns about driver privacy and questions about how far Uber can legally reach into the lives of workers it classifies as independent contractors, rather than employees.

Starting Friday, drivers in at least nine U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago will be shown a summary of how smooth their driving was for each trip, including separate scores for acceleration and braking and a map highlighting the physical location of each incident. Anytime drivers go over the speed limit, Uber will alert them within its app in real time.