A new dashcam, SOS button and app platform will work in harmony to help make drivers who work for ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft safer while behind the wheel.
RideCare Companion has been developed as part of a partnership between Strip District-based Gridwise Inc. and The Bosch Group, two firms that have joined together in the past to create smart dashcams for vehicle drivers and fleet operators.
With the RideCare Companion, gig drivers can use the provided dashcam for the monitoring of the vehicle's occupants. It'll start recording automatically as a rideshare begins and will end shortly after occupants are dropped off.
Sensors developed by Bosch will also allow for the detection and analysis of movements and interactions that occur inside and outside of the vehicle.
A separate SOS button can be triggered by the driver, which will connect them to one of Bosch's emergency call centers, which are staffed at all hours of the day if emergency-level support is needed. Video footage from the dashcam is uploaded automatically to the cloud if the SOS button is triggered.
Gridwise is selling RideCare Companion for $149 and access to the live support will require a $10 per month subscription.
"At Gridwise, our mission is to improve the way drivers work, and safety is a crucial component of that," Gridwise CEO and Co-Founder Ryan Green said in a statement. "It’s been wonderful collaborating with Bosch to bring this solution to rideshare drivers, delivering essential peace of mind. We're excited to see how these safety features improve the rideshare experience from here.”
The product launch from Gridwise builds on its existing mobile app platform for gig workers of different occupations, which can be used by them to track and maximize their earnings while on the job, among other abilities.
Over 500,000 gig workers use Gridwise's platform. The company raised a $12.7 million Series A funding round in May 2022.
RideCare Companion comes as gig drivers face various threats while performing their jobs. Over the years, customers have been reported to have committed violent offenses against gig drivers like kidnapping, sexual assault and murder, among other acts, as noted in a report by business publication Entrepreneur.
