RIDE hailing firm Grab Philippines is rolling out this month new tech features that will enhance the overall safety of its platform in time for the high travel demand during the holiday season.

Grab Philippines said among the new safety features it is rolling out in September are audio protect and driver selfie verification.

Audio protect is an opt-in feature that records audio during rides, storing the data for future reference in case of disputes or safety issues.

With the help of Artificial Intelligence, audio protect is also set to evolve to leverage in-vehicular audio signals to detect potential safety risks in real-time and improve real-time response mechanisms, the company said.

Grab also required drivers to take random selfies throughout the day to verify their identity, complementing the existing pre-trip selfie checks. This ensures that only registered drivers are operating at all times.

These join an array of existing safety mechanisms like Grab’s Safety Center, which includes an Emergency SOS button for direct law enforcement contact, and an accessible “Report an Issue” function for swift lodging of concerns.

Apart from these, Grab said it uses a real-time trip monitoring feature that detects unexpected stops or route anomalies, promptly offering assistance to drivers and passengers if needed.

The “Share Your Ride” feature also allows passengers to share their trip details with trusted contacts, adding another layer of security.

“Our approach goes beyond the platform — we take an active approach in ensuring everyone has a safe ride. We have ongoing dialogues with our passengers, driver-partners and government stakeholders, taking an active role in ensuring safe rides across the industry. Everyone plays a part in maintaining safety, and by working together, we can create a safer journey for all,” EJ Dela Vega, Grab Philippines head of mobility, said in a statement.