Uber yesterday announced SPOT, a new initiative to make sure drivers and riders experience less hassle finding one another in dark or crowded areas. The technology will allow someone calling for an Uber to designate a specific color so that their driver can easily spot them when arriving at the pickup location.

uber spot

SPOT is the latest experiment in our ongoing effort to make Uber pickups as seamless as possible. When riders and drivers can easily find each other, we’re able to trim down wait times, which is a win for everyone. We hope you’ll have a chance to experience SPOT in the coming weeks.

Beginning exclusively in Seattle, the new program will give Uber drivers a small "SPOT Device," attached to their windshield. When a user requests a SPOT-enabled vehicle, they're asked to pick a specific color within the app while waiting. When the app prompts the rider that the vehicle is driving up, they can take the app out and display their color to the driver, or simply look for their chosen color in the windshield of the car.

The company didn't give any mention if, or when, SPOT would make it to other cities after its test run in Seattle. Those that have yet to do so can download Uber from the App Store for free [Direct Link].

Tag: Uber

Top Rated Comments

Zelmung Avatar
127 months ago
Pretty cool. Last year a girl got in a car she thought was her uber here at Indiana university. She ended up dead and her body was thrown by the lake. This could have prevented that. Good to see uber taking safety precautions
That escalated quickly.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kgee102605 Avatar
127 months ago
Still not interested in Uber. Too much to worry about for too little savings. My life, safety, and security is worth more than saving 2 to 3 bucks for a ride to the airport.

At least if something happens, I can go after the cab company.
I wish people who don't understand how the insurance thing works with Uber would keep their mouth shut instead of spreading lies and rumors.

Here is how it works if you would like to educate yourself. Personal drivers HAVE personal insurance per State law that covers their vehicle and it does 365 days per year just like everyone else on the planet....

Now, whenever they turn the app on and are "working"?? Then Uber's commercial vehicle insurance policy of $1 million applies (and Lyft's policy is the same $1 million coverage too.. its required by the cities and the States you see???).....and covers the vehicle and the passengers.

When the app is off... coverage drops back to the individual drivers' personal insurance. Which is the same insurance that he/she drives around the city everyday with anyway.. No difference.. so if you are worried about a driver hitting you? They could do that quite simply without having a passenger or driving for Uber and it would be exactly the same.

NO personal insurance company is going to cover someone while driving for Uber (that part you at least got right)... however, they DON'T HAVE TO.. because Uber's commercial policy does!! Why? Because it is required by the City and State laws. So to say that Uber and Lyft drivers DO NOT have insurance? Is completely false and nothing more than a similar scare tactic and lie usually spread by butt hurt taxi drivers and/or republican types. It's nearly 2016, technology and the world evolves. Time to get over it and move on. :) And for crying out loud if you've got something to say? Do your research so you at least KNOW the facts and don't sound like a complete idiot. ~Cheers
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mbh1976 Avatar
127 months ago
This is cool, but how about the app just telling me what color the car is that is picking me up?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
snebes Avatar
127 months ago
This is essential in places like SF where ever car is an uber and every uber is a white or silver Prius. I've personally stepped in the wrong uber a bunch of times


South Park, always ahead of the times.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BruiserB Avatar
127 months ago
Yeah, this will make it way easier--with only 6 colors--for nefarious people to stick a similar light in their car and just put up one of the 6 colors. Go cruise down a popular bar area in a major city and just wait for a drunk chick to flag their car down.
It's meant to be a way to quickly pick the car out of a sea of cars. Then you still have the make, model, and license plate info in your app to verify that it is the right car. It's not a substitute for verifying you have the right car. Also the driver should know your name and if they don't you shouldn't get in.

I drive for Über X on weekends and it's fun and interesting. Thanks to those who are quashing the "Über is so scary/unsafe" hysteria. I've had so many passengers tell me how much they like Über because they know who to expect and know the car will come on time, etc. We are insured for $1 million while a passenger is in the car. A passenger can even send a link from the app to a friend so the friend can see their location/progress while they are on the ride, enhancing security further. What cab company offers that?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unplugme71 Avatar
127 months ago
Still not interested in Uber. Too much to worry about for too little savings. My life, safety, and security is worth more than saving 2 to 3 bucks for a ride to the airport.

At least if something happens, I can go after the cab company.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Saturday August 16, 2025 6:45 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report this week, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform will blend...
apple beta 26 lineup

Mark Gurman Responds to Last Week's Apple Device Leaks

Sunday August 17, 2025 7:03 am PDT by
Last week, Apple released and then pulled a software tool that accidentally contained identifiers for many unreleased devices and chips, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. His findings included new models of the Studio Display, Apple TV, Apple Watches, Apple Vision Pro, iPad mini, HomePod mini, and more. Here is what was uncovered in the file, according to MacRumors contributor ...
iOS 26 Feature

Here's Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 7

Monday August 18, 2025 11:59 am PDT by
The seventh developer beta of iOS 26 is now available. While we are now in the later stages of the iOS 26 beta cycle, there are still some changes. Below, we outline everything new that we have found in iOS 26 beta 7 so far. Redesigned Blood Oxygen Feature The seventh developer betas of iOS 26 and watchOS 26 include a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max's Internal Design With Metal Battery Allegedly Leaks

Friday August 15, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Alleged images of the iPhone 17 Pro Max's internal design have surfaced, offering a potential look inside the device before it is announced by Apple next month. The images were shared by the account "yeux1122" this week, in a blog post on the Korean platform Naver. The account aggregates Apple rumors and leaks, so it is likely not the original source of the images, and it is unclear if they...
iPhone 16

No iPhone 18 in 2026, Another Report Claims

Monday August 18, 2025 7:34 am PDT by
Apple is expected to delay the launch of its base iPhone 18 model until spring 2027, marking a major shift in the company's long-established release cycle, according to South Korea's ETNews. The report claims that Apple has informed some of its suppliers that the iPhone 18 will not be part of the September 2026 iPhone lineup. Instead, the company will unveil only higher-end models in the...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Reportedly Set to Receive 'Significant Redesign' Next Year

Friday August 15, 2025 1:31 pm PDT by
At least one new Apple Watch model launching next year will feature a "significant redesign," according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. In a paywalled report this week, citing supply chain insiders, DigiTimes claimed that a high-end 2026 Apple Watch model will feature "exterior design" changes, including but not limited to "eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern visible...
Golden Apple Logo

Every Apple Secret That Leaked Wednesday

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:13 am PDT by
Apple made a major slip Wednesday when it accidentally included hardware identifiers in software code linking to numerous unannounced products. The leaked information provided MacRumors with concrete evidence of Apple's hardware development across multiple product categories. Here's everything that was confirmed through the code discoveries: New HomePod mini with updated chip – New...
apple design award 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Design Award Winners Ahead of WWDC 2025

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:14 am PDT by
As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category: Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game) Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ -...