Uber has announced a series of new features and updates to its platform, aiming to improve the experience for drivers and couriers. The company presented these changes at its Only on Uber event in Washington, DC, emphasizing its goal to be the best platform for flexible work.
The company relies heavily on feedback from drivers and couriers through its Uber Crew program. In 2025 alone, more than 60 sessions were held with over 100 Uber employees participating, gathering input on product design and policy adjustments. According to Uber, this process helps inform product development and policy decisions.
Among the newly announced features is a pilot program in the United States for digital tasks within the Driver app. This feature allows drivers to earn money by completing quick online tasks—such as uploading photos to help train artificial intelligence models—during downtime between trips. The digital tasks initiative was previously tested in India before being introduced in the U.S.
Uber also revealed updates aimed at making trip management simpler for both drivers and couriers. Drivers will now see a redesigned offer card that provides more information and time to consider trip requests. Couriers will benefit from a new interface designed to clarify multi-order deliveries, with better alerts for frequently missed items.
Navigation tools are also being improved. Starting tomorrow, all U.S. drivers will have access to an updated Rides Heatmap that highlights high-demand areas using color coding based on wait times and surge pricing data. The Destination Mode feature is also being updated so drivers can choose between routes that maximize trip opportunities or provide the fastest route home.
Next March, Uber plans to launch an updated rewards program called Uber Pro. This program will merge existing reward systems into one streamlined structure with four tiers: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Higher-tiered drivers are promised increased earnings on most trips as well as additional benefits.
Safety remains a priority for Uber’s platform enhancements. The Women Rider Preference feature is expanding to more U.S. cities including Baltimore, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, and Washington DC. This allows women drivers to receive trip requests only from women riders if they choose—a feature already used globally on more than 150 million trips.
Other safety improvements include allowing drivers to set minimum rider ratings they are comfortable with—a tool that can be adjusted depending on time of day or situation—and expanded consumer verification processes for riders.
Uber has also introduced several measures intended to make earning fairer for those using its platform. A Delayed Ride Guarantee will now compensate drivers when trips take significantly longer than estimated due to traffic or detours; anytime a trip exceeds estimates by more than five minutes, fares will be adjusted upward accordingly.
Tip reminders for riders are being expanded through iPhone Live Activities notifications, while couriers will soon see guaranteed payment amounts at the time of each delivery request regardless of subsequent tip changes by customers.
For couriers concerned about ratings affected by factors outside their control—such as restaurant closures leading to cancellations—these incidents will no longer impact their ratings starting next month. Additionally, Uber says it is working on technology that can detect low ratings resulting from circumstances beyond a courier’s influence so those do not count against them either.
When it comes to deactivation protections and transparency around reports filed by riders against drivers or couriers, Uber says it aims where possible to limit restrictions only to certain types of earning opportunities rather than removing access altogether unless serious violations occur. Drivers who face false reports can submit evidence—including audio recordings—to contest claims; if found valid, Uber may remove offending riders from the platform permanently.
The company expressed appreciation toward its community of earners: "Thank you to all the drivers and couriers who make Uber what it is—and who continue to share their valuable feedback." Those interested in contributing further are invited by Uber: "If you, or a driver or courier you know, are interested in shaping how Uber builds for earners, we invite you to apply to be a 2026 Crew Member at ubercrewportal.com."
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