Apr 21, 2020 14:00:00

Uber announces contactless delivery service 'Uber Connect' and 'Uber Direct' that deliver packages to family and friends

Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), the number of people who are banned from going out or refraining from going out is increasing, and demand for delivery services is rapidly increasing. While the popularity of Uber Eats, which delivers food from restaurants to restaurants, is growing, Uber newly delivers Uber Direct, which delivers products from pharmacies and retail stores, and Uber Connect, which undertakes package delivery between individuals. Was announced.

Moving more of what matters with delivery | Uber Newsroom

https://www.uber.com/newsroom/moving-more-of-what-matters-with-delivery/

Uber Connect lets you deliver things to friends and family | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/2020/04/20/uber-connect-lets-you-deliver-things-to-friends-and-family/

Uber Direct is based on the service 'Uber Rush' that Uber started in 2016 and can hire 'Hikyaku' for several hundred yen. Uber Rush ended its service in 2018, and its knowledge was inherited by Uber Eats, but the service started again as Uber Direct due to the epidemic of COVID-19.

`` Uber Rush '' that anyone can hire a personal `` hikyaku '' with a smartphone for several hundred yen-GIGAZINE

Uber Direct is a service that delivers over-the-counter drugs from pharmacies, parcels from post offices, pet supplies, etc. on demand from retail stores to ordinary households. At the time of writing the article, services are provided in New York, Australia, Portugal, and delivery of goods will be done without contact.

On the other hand, Uber Connect is a service that delivers goods from person to person. This allows you to log in to your existing Uber app and deliver packages to friends and family. As shown below, in addition to 'UberX' and 'Comfort' for requesting a vehicle dispatch, the option 'Connect' is displayed on the Uber app screen. Uber Connect makes it easy to send toilet paper to a friend who is in trouble, or give a game to a child who is stressed out by going out.

At the time of writing the article, Uber Connect is said to be deployed in 25 cities such as America, Australia and Mexico. Lyft, another car dispatch service, has also started delivering essentials such as food and clothing on behalf of government agencies, non-profit organizations, companies and medical institutions.