Uber Unveils AI-Powered Assistant to Accelerate EV Adoption Among Drivers

Uber is plugging ChatGPT into EVs

Upcoming OpenAI-powered AI assistant will encourage and guide Uber drivers to go electric Uber is turning to OpenAI and ChatGPT to help push the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) by its drivers. The ride-share company announced the new AI assistant at the Go Get Zero sustainability conference in London among several other green initiatives. Uber will employ OpenAI's GPT-4o model, the same one undergirding ChatGPT, to create a guide for drivers along the road toward where they are confident and comfortable behind the wheel of an EV. The idea of AI as a personal automotive concierge makes sense, considering the complexities of switching away from gas cars. That means the AI will adapt to the user, tailoring its answers around how to buy and take care of an EV to who is asking. The AI will come packed with data about purchase prices, how to charge and maintain the car, and other useful information unique to EVs. The AI will also adjust its responses to match where the driver lives. Geography matters since many states, cities, and other locales have incentive programs to entice people into switching to electric cars, but they are far from uniform. The same goes for mapping out charging stations that the drivers can rely on should their battery run low. A Californian Uber driver might regularly discuss the state rebates and tax credits they earn for getting an EV, while, at the same time, an Uber driver in New York asks the assistant about discounts at nearby charging stations. Uber isn't going to limit the AI to talking about electric cars forever. The company said it will widen the types of questions the AI can answer and the data sources it pulls from later in 2025 in order to make the AI more flexible and useful in more circumstances. Personalizing a specialized AI assistant like this may end up seeming inspired as an approach should it pan out. Still, it's a lot less daunting to learn about EVs through a conversation with an AI than trying to plow through a lot of often complicated technical and regulatory documents. The ChatGPT-based AI companion also fits with Uber's more extensive list of new and upcoming features to encourage EV adoption like letting riders specifically request an EV and matchmaking EV Uber drivers with those considering it to answer any questions the AI couldn't. For OpenAI, it's another milestone in expanding into the automotive AI space. Voice assistants are a common feature in modern vehicles, and ChatGPT's models are powering a growing number of vehicular AI assistants. Volkswagen began embedding ChatGPT in its cars on a wide scale last month. The upgraded Ida voice assistant leverages OpenAI's model to be more conversational and handle a broader array of requests than had been previously feasible. Between VW, Uber, and experiments from Mercedes-Benz and other carmakers, OpenAI has a shot at heavily influencing how we engage with the next generation of car AI assistants.

Uber Launches OpenAI's ChatGPT-Based Driver Assistant To Support Transition To EVs - Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER)

Uber Technologies Inc. UBER is preparing to launch an AI assistant, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o, aimed at helping drivers transition to electric vehicles. The initiative is part of Uber's larger plan to cut down on emissions. What Happened: The AI assistant was unveiled during Uber's Go-Get Zero event in London and is scheduled to debut in the U.S. early next year, with plans for a global rollout. It will provide personalized advice based on the driver's location and available incentives. By 2025, the chatbot will expand its capabilities to address questions beyond electric vehicles, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Uber has pledged $800 million to aid its drivers in transitioning to EVs by 2040. Currently, about 180,000 drivers are making the switch each month in North America and Europe. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted that Uber drivers are adopting EVs at a rate five times faster than the average motorist in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. See Also: Lucid Reports Q3 EV Production And Delivery Totals: What To Know In addition, Uber is introducing a mentorship program for EV drivers and offering $50,000 to top merchants on its food delivery platform for sustainability efforts. Pop-up events will allow customers to experience EVs, such as the Lotus Eletre in London and the Rivian R1 in select U.S. cities. Why It Matters: Uber's move to integrate AI into its operations is part of a broader industry trend. In May, Grab Holdings , a competitor in Asia, announced a partnership with OpenAI to enhance app navigation and customer support using AI. This highlights the growing importance of AI in improving service delivery and customer experience. Earlier, in August 2023, Uber had already signaled its intentions to leverage AI with plans for an AI-powered chatbot to enhance customer service and automate tasks. Read Next: Warren Buffett Vs. Elon Musk: Did Geico Cut Insurance Coverage On Cybertrucks For Not Meeting 'Underwriting Guidelines'? Photo via Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Uber Unveils AI Assistant Utilizing OpenAI's GPT-4 to Support Electric Vehicle Adoption

Uber has been advocating for the shift to electric vehicles for several years, with a significant commitment of $800 million to support its driver partners in making this transition by 2040. The introduction of the AI assistant aligns with Uber's goals to not only reduce its carbon footprint but also assist drivers in navigating the complexities associated with switching to electric vehicles. The AI assistant will not only offer tailored information on EV incentives but will also eventually address a wider range of queries by 2025. Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, emphasized that Uber drivers are adopting EVs at five times the rate of the average motorist, with London reporting nearly 30% of all miles driven on the platform being electric. To further encourage EV adoption, Uber is launching a mentorship program connecting experienced EV drivers with those new to electric vehicles. Additionally, the company is providing financial support to top merchants on its food delivery platform for sustainability initiatives and organizing pop-up events in cities like London, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas to allow users to test drive EVs such as the Lotus Eletre and Rivian R1.

Uber is adding an EV-only option in many cities

It designed an AI chatbot to help drivers get more info about switching to an electric vehicle. held its second Go-Get Zero event on Tuesday to highlight some of the company's sustainability efforts. First and foremost, it says that there are now enough drivers using the service to make an EV-only option available (the current Uber Green includes hybrids). The all-electric Uber Green option, which will cost about the same as an UberX, will initially be available in 40 cities and the company plans to expand this over time. At the jump, US Uber users will be able to select an EV-only option in New York City, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Palm Springs. The option will soon be available in every city in France where Uber operates, as well as locales in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, you'll be able to make EVs your preferred option for a ride. If you enable this and there's an EV available within a few minutes of a regular UberX, you'll be matched with an electric vehicle. If it's going to take much longer for an EV to pick up, Uber will send you a gas-powered vehicle instead. You'll be able to specifically request certain premium EVs during pop up events, with riders in London having the chance to take a ride in a Lotus Eletre. Between October 14 and 21, those in Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami can select a Rivian option on the homescreen to try out an R1. These pop up offerings will cost the same as an Uber Black SUV trip with Reserve. Meanwhile, the emissions savings feature is getting an update. So, when you take a ride on a bike, scooter or UberX Share, you'll see the level of emissions you've avoided. On the Uber Eats front, you'll be able to order fresh produce from farmers markets starting today in New York City and Los Angeles. There's also a new spotlighted collection of what Uber describes as "climate-conscious products" from the brands such as Credo Beauty, Allbirds and L'Occitane. Elsewhere, the company says it's opening a marketplace to help Uber Eats restaurants all over the world use greener packaging. On the other side of the equation, Uber is trying to help more drivers make the switch to an EV, after offering them a for years. Starting in the US early next year, drivers can ask an AI assistant in the Uber app for personalized advice about the EV that would work best for them and the city they operate in. The chatbot, which is powered by GPT-4o, can answer questions about things like the range of a certain model and where a driver can go to charge, Uber says. Aligned with that is an EV mentorship program. Highly rated EV drivers will be able to share their experiences with those curious about switching to an electric car. They can receive cash rewards and incentives for helping out. Uber claims that EV adoption among its drivers is at least five times higher than typical motorists in the US, Canada and Europe. The monthly average number of Uber drivers in North America and Europe who use EVs now sits at more than 180,000.

Uber gives users option to only hail full-electric vehicles, launches AI chatbot for the EV-curious

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi on Tuesday announced that the company is updating its platform with new sustainability-minded features, including an "EV preference" that will let customers opt for fully electric vehicles by default, whenever they hail a ride. The company previously launched an "Uber Green," service which has historically included a mix of battery electric vehicles, and hybrid electric models. Now, Uber can offer battery electric vehicles as the sole "green" option in more than 40 cities globally, executives said at Uber's annual Go Get Zero sustainability conference in London on Tuesday. Speaking at Uber's GO-GET Zero event in London, Khosrowshahi said that the company's rollout of new sustainability-focused features arrives ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections, adding this is a time when the topic of EVs has become a "politically-charged issue." However, he noted that the overall trend is moving toward all-electric mobility options. "The reality is that we will only reach or zero emission goals if policymakers and other businesses do their part as well," Khosrowshahi said at the event. "We need more affordable EVs, we need stronger EV mandates, we need incentives for people who are driving the most. We want to make sure that chargers are available at every community, not just the wealthiest. So we all need to step up," he said. For drivers, Uber said it is rolling out an "EV Mentor" program, which connects drivers for any questions about electric mobility. The company also debuted an AI chatbot powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT, looking to answer questions for drivers on the ride-hail network about what it takes to buy and use a battery electric vehicle instead of a gas-burning vehicle. Transportation has been responsible for about 25% of carbon emissions from human activity globally, according to estimates by the non-profit International Council on Clean Transportation. Carbon emissions, and other greenhouse gases from human activity, cause long-term shifts in temperatures and weather, while also contributing to respiratory disease by forming smog and air pollution. Ride-hailing services like Uber's can contribute to traffic congestion and therefore, pollution, according to analysis by Suvrat Dhanorkar, Gordon Burtch and others published in the journal of Transportation Science. Uber has been working to reduce its environmental footprint and looks to become a "zero-emissions platform" by 2040. On the delivery side of its platform, Uber is adding farmers' market produce to Uber Eats offerings in two major U.S. markets: New York City and Los Angeles. Uber said it will also be investing nearly $1 million to enable restaurants in Paris that sell meals via Uber Eats to switch to more sustainable packaging, such as seaweed-based packaging from NotPLA, bags made of foliage by Releaf, and straws made of agricultural suAgar residuals from IAmPlasticFree. According to statistics tracked by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), residents in Paris generate more than 400 kg (880 lb) of waste each year. France has implemented laws to reduce this waste, requiring fast food restaurants to move away from disposable, plastic packaging and utensils.