You know that you’re not supposed to drink and drive, you know it. Billboards on highways remind of it almost every day, and television commercials point out how important it is to have your mind straight when you hit the road. But a man needs to get home somehow, right? Calling for a cab would be the regular answer to that, but since Uber wants to conquer the world and replace them, they once again came up with a clever experiment.
Hey, if you read any of our articles on Uber’s massive expansion in the transportation industry, you probably noticed we’re trying to stay neutral. We’re not looking to blame the San Francisco giant for trying to replace a business that grew into a culture like the yellow cars are in New York. On the other hand, we’re not praising the company’s idea, which does come in handy now and then.
However, you guys have to admit that some of these people’s ideas are quite clever. As such is their experimental pop-up breathalyzer Uber has mounted in Toronto recently as part of their experimental attempt to “curb drunk driving”. The kiosk dispenses a disposable straw into which users blow for six seconds.
Blow here for a ride
“Blow here for a ride on us” the add claims, and that’s precisely what’s going to happen. Only if the device says you had a drink too many, of course. The screens will prompt notifications like “finding a pickup location” and “requesting a driver”. The next thing you know there’s a Uber driver taking you home for free.
How about that for the perfect taxi service, right? It’s almost as good as the possibility to call for a ride and get to drive a McLaren 650 S instead, which is, in fact, one of the company’s other promotional experiment.
Several questions remain unanswered, however. For instance, who is paying the driver? How does Uber know people won’t use the opportunity to get a free ride home simply? And, of course, is the transportation company subtly encouraging us to drink?
Google News