Grab unveils features for teens
The feature is designed to enhance safe travel for users aged 13 to 19 -- covering both Gen Alpha and Gen Z -- allowing them to travel independently while prioritising peace of mind for parents.
The enhanced safety measures include Top-Rated Driver Matching, Ride PIN Verification, Always-on AudioProtect and Real-Time Trip Monitoring with alerts in case of any emergencies.
Maythinee Anavachkul, director of mobility and driver operations at Grab Thailand, said safety has always been Grab's top priority.
For over 12 years, Grab has been committed to innovating and enhancing safety standards across its platform to ensure both passengers and drivers feel confident and secure.
Its efforts include stringent background checks on drivers, with a requirement for a clean seven-year criminal record, and verification of each driver's identity through the use of biometric facial recognition before services are provided.
It has also introduced technology–led safety features such as Share My Ride, which enables passengers to share their real-time trip monitoring with friends and family; Safety Centre, providing immediate access to emergency assistance; AudioProtect, generating an audio recording during a ride that can be used as evidence in the case of any disputes; and the SOS button and KartaDashcams, installed in cars to capture in-car footage during the ride.
"To strengthen safety measures and broaden access to ride-hailing services for everyone, we have upgraded the Grab For Family feature with the launch of a new version for teens," Ms Maythinee said.
This upgraded feature allows passengers aged 13 to 19 to travel independently while still being monitored by their parents through four enhanced safety measures.
Since its launch at the end of last year, Grab For Family -- initially created to support elderly users, particularly those less familiar with technology -- has been warmly embraced by families for making ride-hailing more accessible and convenient for older adults.
"The new Teens version reflects our continued effort to meet the needs of more Thai users, especially Gen Alpha and Gen Z, who together account for over 20 million individuals, by delivering innovative digital solutions for everyday life."
Grab For Family | Teens includes four enhanced safety measures.
The first safety measure is Top-Rated Drivers. This feature ensures teen travellers are only matched with top-rated drivers who have received consistently high service reviews.
The second is Ride PIN Verification. Teens using this feature must enter a PIN code provided by the driver before the ride commences to ensure they are using the correct vehicle.
The third safety feaure is Always-on AudioProtect. This feature ensures all journeys by car are automatically recorded to help prevent incidents and provide evidence in the case of any unforeseen events.
In future, Grab plans to integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect in real-time if anything inappropriate is taking place in the car during a journey, so Grab's support team can intervene immediately.
The fourth safety feature is Family Monitoring. This allows parents to track rides in real time and receive alerts in the case of disputes, such as off-route driving, unplanned stops or the ride being ended prematurely.
Grab also plans to expand teen-focused safety technologies across different services.
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