Lyft to pilot ADT in-app safety feature in 2020

Ride-hailing giant Lyft has announced a partnership with security and automation firm ADT to integrate mobile safety solutions into the Lyft app. 

The pilot, which is planned to begin in early 2020, will allow Lyft users who feel unsafe to discreetly connect – by voice or SMS chat – with a security professional at one of ADT’s operated monitoring centres. After contacting the user, or if there is no response, the ADT security professional will alert authorities, as necessary, so a response team can arrive at the user’s location, equipped with incident information.

The partnership has been designed to build upon existing Lyft safety features like in-app access to 911, and the recently announced ‘Smart Trip Check-In’, which allows users to be notified about delays, and request support from the Lyft team.

Jim DeVries, President and CEO of ADT, said: “We look forward to working closely with the Lyft team as together we bring our technology to rideshare riders and drivers. Partnering with Lyft broadens our exposure while enabling ADT to further realise our mission and belief that people deserve to be safer and more secure wherever they are.” 

Lyft intends to pilot the ADT mobile safety solution in nine U.S. markets including Chicago, Los Angeles and New Jersey, with potential to further implement the feature nationally to Lyft’s 30 million riders and 2 million drivers.