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
133 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
133 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
133 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
133 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
133 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
133 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

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...