UPI was the biggest disruption for the mobile wallet industry, and a lot of companies have started integrating UPI on their app. WhatsApp is testing UPI on its app, which will allow all the users to send money through the chat service itself.
Uber had decided to launch its own digital wallet in India, but it seems like the company will take the UPI route. Android Pay is also coming this year to India, so it made sense for Uber to integrate UPI on its platform.
This will allow Uber users to pay for their rides through UPI, which means no specific bank requirements, and probably less use of Paytm. However, for now, Uber is testing integration of UPI on its platform and is in talks with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
“While nothing has been finalised yet, we are looking at various options with UPI being one of them, on how to make the entire system of payments extremely convenient for both drivers and riders,” said Apurva Dalal, Head of Engineering – India at Uber.
Uber is expanding technology centre in India
With the upcoming integration of UPI on Uber’s platform, the company is also proposing to increase the headcount at its technology centres in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Currently, there are over a 100 employees in the two centres combined, which will be increased to accommodate for the extra work soon to come.
A number of engineers, designers and operations folks will be hired to implement this technology on the platform. A couple of new initiatives are also expected to be launched in the near future, along with uberEATS throughout India.
Uber is also looking to launch a connected car system for both riders and drivers, that gives extra details about the cars, for example, accurate location of the car, the speed of the car, vehicle fuel level etc.
UPI on Uber’s platform will allow users with the app on their platform to pay for their rides through their UPI wallet. In fact, currently, you can pay through cash, debit/credit cards and Paytm wallet. Now, you can go cashless and pay directly from your bank account.
