Uber is developing a way to identify drunk passengers with artificial intelligence, according to a patent application published. With the technology, Uber could better tailor its ride options for customers.
The patent application can identify unusual behavior based on the usage of application. The system relies on an algorithm to weigh a variety of factors, including typos, how precisely a user clicks on links and buttons, walking speed, and how long it takes to request a ride. The time of day, and where a ride is requested may also be considered.
For example, when a person walking down a street at 1 a.m. Saturday in a nightlife district while clumsily typing probably isn’t sober or passengers who type slowly, misspell the name of the destination and click haphazardly instead of just placing their thumb are more likely to be drunk.
The patent also says that the service Uber provides to the user could change, as a result. Drivers may be warned of their passenger’s state. And riders in an especially unusual state may only be matched with drivers with relevant experience or training, the patent application says.
Passengers also might not be given the option to partake in a shared ride, based on their state.
Somehow, drivers could benefit from this policy because they’d be warned of a passenger’s state. They would also know ahead of time that they may have to clean up after a rider.
But again need to see after implementation that is that really working as expected ?
