Uber launches Senior Accounts and Simple Mode across the MENA region
Senior Accounts and Simple Mode are now rolling out across the MENA region – in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon. Importantly, the older adult and family organiser do not need to live in the same location.
Available through Uber's Family Profiles, Senior Accounts present a streamlined version of the Uber app, featuring larger text, simplified screens, and the option for a trusted family member to offer remote support. For older adults who prefer to ride independently, Simple Mode can be switched on via the app's accessibility settings.
With the introduction of Senior Accounts and Simple Mode, Uber is enhancing mobility to be more accessible and inclusive for older adults. These features reflect the company's ongoing efforts to make the Uber app a platform that works for the entire family, from teens to seniors. Building on the success of Teen Accounts, Uber is bridging another important gap in the mobility space. In the MENA region, where strong family ties and intergenerational support are a way of life, this offering will help older adults stay independent and connected, with the reassurance that loved ones are always just a tap away.
Senior Accounts offer a simpler way to ride, with larger text, fewer steps, and easy-to-tap buttons. Riders in the MENA region can save favourite places, use flexible payment options, and let loved ones track trips in real time. Family members can also book or manage rides remotely, making travel more accessible for older adults.
How it works:
A family member sets up a Family Profile in the Uber app and invites an older adult to join as a senior.
The older adult receives a text message with a link to download the app and create their account.
Once set up, they can request trips independently or allow a family member to assist when needed.
Even for older adults not added to a Family Profile, Simple Mode can be enabled via the app's Accessibility settings, offering a simplified experience with full account control.
With access to public transportation for seniors being difficult sometimes in the region due to distance, frequency limitations and also high temperatures, Uber's new solution bridges this gap and supports families at every stage of life. Developed with input from older riders and accessibility advocates, these new features are part of Uber's ongoing mission to make technology more inclusive and remove barriers to mobility.
The MENA region launch follows successful rollouts in the United States, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, and underscores Uber's commitment to building technology that works for every stage of life.
About Uber
Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 58 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
4 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Back to school in UAE: With over 500 customers a day, uniform shops brace for heavy rush
Some uniform shops in the UAE are seeing an average of more than 500 customers a day as parents prepare for the back-to-school season. Most of the shops are expecting the crowds to multiply towards the end of the month. 'We have an average of around 500 customers, if not more, coming in every day,' said a spokesperson for LCT uniforms in Karama. 'One batch of our stocks is almost over, and we have just placed a new order. Last weekend was extremely busy, and we are expecting the crowds to multiply over the next week, closer to school reopening. UAE schools will reopen on Monday, August 25, after almost two months of summer break. Last week, the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced a new structure for the academic calendar starting from 2025–2026, setting unified dates for the start of the academic year, end of the three terms and end of term breaks for all public and private schools nationwide. The spokesperson added that, contrary to previous years, there had been a steady stream of parents visiting the store throughout the summer. 'Usually our rush begins after the middle of August,' he said. 'However, this year, we had a steady stream of parents throughout the two months of summer. Some came as early as the second week of July because they wanted to finish off uniform shopping before they travelled for the break.' 'Waited for more than 20 minutes' Abu Dhabi resident Aalim Nadheer visited a uniform store earlier this week and waited more than 20 minutes to be served. 'The store has a policy that we have to book appointments online before going there,' he said. 'I didn't know this, but because the store was not very crowded, they gave me a token number and buzzer. We walked around the mall, and in less than 30 minutes, the buzzer rang.' He added that he considered himself lucky to be served so quickly. 'The staff said that if I had waited for a few more days, the rush would have multiplied as many parents come back by the middle of August,' he said. 'I know of people who waited hours last year. I didn't want to risk that, so I decided to get my shopping done early.' Hundreds of people At the Bimbino uniform store, which has outlets in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Fujairah, the crowds have been steady. 'At our outlet in Sharjah, we are seeing hundreds of customers every day,' said a telephone operator. 'We have the uniforms of almost all schools, so a lot of parents prefer to come to us. Last weekend, we had a lot of rush as many parents are now returning after their vacations.' She added that the store was expecting more crowds and possible long queues on weekdays and weekends over the next two weeks. 'As the dates for school reopening draw closer, we are expecting the number of parents coming to us to multiply,' she said. 'That is what we have seen every year.'
Khaleej Times
4 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Piloted flights of flying taxi to begin in the coming days, says Archer CEO
The US-based Archer Aviation, which will launch flying taxi operations in the UAE, is expected to begin piloted flights in the coming days ahead of the formal launch of services in Abu Dhabi later this year, said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. 'We expect the first piloted flight to take place within days. We've got a lot of confidence that we'll be in there soon… 2025 is an inflexion point on the commercial front. After years of engineering work and flight tests, the team is focused on transitioning to piloted operations in early commercial deployment. We remain on track to launch (flying taxi) later this year in the UAE, and are preparing for subsequent deployments with Midnight launch edition customers and several other international markets,' Goldstein said during the investor call after the second quarter results on Monday. 'The goal is for us to demonstrate the aircraft's capabilities, drive public acceptance, build operational excellence and generate early revenue. We remain on track to deliver our first piloted aircraft as part of that programme to Abu Dhabi aviation in the UAE later this year. We've already started the flight test programme for that aircraft here in California, and we expect piloted flights to begin in the coming days,' he said. Archer has tied up with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) to launch, train staff and manufacture its flying car Midnight in the UAE. Archer signed definitive agreements with its partners, Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, to activate the first of several planned 'lunch edition' programmes globally. As part of this, Archer delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the UAE, commenced its flight test programme in Abu Dhabi and expects initial commercial payments later this year. 'In the second quarter, we ramped aircraft manufacturing across our facilities in California and Georgia with six Midnight aircraft in production, including three in final assembly. Alongside major progress in the UAE, our selection as the Official Air Taxi Provider of LA28 Olympic Games, and two acquisitions to accelerate our defence program, we're executing from a position of strength with a sector-leading $1.7 billion of liquidity,' said Archer's founder. He said the company has been focusing on a commercially viable product. 'The aircraft testing we have been doing leading up to our planned early deployment in the UAE is critical for ensuring safety.' He added that Archer teams are collaborating through joint working sessions in the UAE and California, and the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is closely tracking all the progress with Midnight as they work with Archer on the pathway to begin flying passengers in the country. He added that other potential early adopter markets are also taking stock of what they are seeing in the UAE. 'We're seeing demand in a number of other countries for our launch edition programme.' Highlighting Archer's plan over the next few months ahead of the launch of the flying tax in Abu Dhabi, he said: 'Over the next several months, firstly, we're going to deliver an aircraft to the UAE later this summer. We'll start by doing some incremental testing out there, like validating performance in the higher temperature environment. Then we'll move on to improving routes on our intent networks in Abu Dhabi on the broader UAE, and then ultimately working towards sharing passengers again with Abu Dhabi Aviation,' he said.
Zawya
35 minutes ago
- Zawya
AJi Group advances 21 places to rank among Top 100 in ENR's Top 225 International Design Firms
AJi Group powered its way up through its commitment to sustainability, innovation and creating long-term value for its clients Dubai, UAE: AJi Group, the region's leading architecture, construction, engineering and consultancy group committed to designing smart and building better, has achieved a significant milestone by advancing 21 spots to be ranked among the Top 100 International Design Firms in Engineering News-Record's (ENR) prestigious Top 225 list for 2025. Ranking 86th in the global list that developers and investors turn to, AJi Group was recognized for its significant focus on investments in technology, climate resilience and energy transition. Aligning with the global trends in sustainability, ESG (environmental, social and governance) integration, artificial intelligence and resilient and adaptive infrastructure systems, AJi Group has been at the forefront in "reimagining its business model, enhancing operational efficiency and improving the return on investment for clients," said Eng. Hamzeh Awwad, CEO. "We are honoured to be recognized among the Top International Design Firms, a testament to the 60-year legacy of our organisation, the commitment of our talented professionals, and our focus on reshaping the future of infrastructure in the MENA region," said Eng. Awwad. "As a trusted partner to some of the region's most ambitious projects, we see this recognition as an acknowledgement of the remarkable advancements that the MENA region has made in redefining modern architecture, design and infrastructure development. The vision of our clients enables us to push our boundaries to deliver on their priorities, especially in promoting sustainable built environments and embracing advanced technology,' he added. With close to half the projects coming from repeat clients, AJi Group is regarded as a go-to-partner for government entities, developers and investors in the MENA region. Under Eng. Awwad's leadership, the company has demonstrated exceptional performance across key metrics in recent years, with revenues surging 210% in 2024, and its talented professional base growing by 35%. The Group's ascent in the ENR rankings also underscores its strategic expansion across the MENA region, where it operates through 13 regional offices, including four in Saudi Arabia and three in the UAE. The Group has contributed to reshaping the MENA region's skyline by delivering monumental projects through its six verticals: Urban Environment, Wellness and Healthcare, Utilities and Environment, Mobility and Transportation, Eco-Futurism and Advisory and Solutions. In its report, ENR particularly highlighted AJi Group's focus on tackling market challenges by embracing a transformation mindset. "As the region transforms, so must we," observed Eng. Awwad, in the 2025 report, adding that the Group focused on "empowering local talent, embedding sustainability and driving cross-border collaboration." AJi Group's landmark projects include the Riyadh Municipality EPMO and AFMO, OSUS Eye – the first 'ten-minute' city in Riyadh, Green Riyadh's projects across four neighborhoods and the Cleveland Clinic Expansion in UAE. Committed to innovation and sustainability, AJi Group recently published its first GRI-certified ESG report and has also secured ISO 19650 certification for Building Information Modelling. Earlier this year, the Group achieved the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Information Security and Cybersecurity, granted by MQA UK. The company's specialised subsidiaries, including HDP Overseas, focused on the healthcare sector, and QHC AJI, dedicated to infrastructure development in the UAE, continue to strengthen their project pipelines. Other accolades won by the Group include Consultant of the Year at the Design Middle East Awards 2024, Project Management Company of the Year, and Best Mixed-Use Project at the Construction Innovation Awards KSA 2025 for the OSUS Eye project. About AJi Group AJi Group is the region's premier architecture, construction, engineering and consultancy group, operating through 13 offices across the MENA region. With a 60-year legacy and a professional team of 1,300 employees across 25 markets, the Group delivers services through six verticals: Urban Environment, Wellness and Healthcare, Utilities and Environment, Mobility and Transportation, Eco-Futurism and Advisory and Solutions. The Group's vision is centred around three core pillars: strengthening its legacy, nurturing talented professionals, and partnering in shaping the region's future. With sustainability and innovation at its core, AJi Group specialies in developing sustainable communities where environmental, social, and governance principles help build an inclusive future.
