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Popular ride sharing app brings in AI technology during Greater Brisbane lockdown to make drivers to PROVE they are wearing a mask before accepting a fare
- DiDi Australia said they will implement a futuristic face detection algorithm
- The ride share giant will bring in the safeguard during Brisbane’s lockdown
- Residents in Greater Brisbane have been given stay-at-home order for three days
- The restrictions were brought in after just one case of Covid recorded Thursday
A popular ride share service will bring in artificial intelligence technology requiring drivers to prove they are wearing a face mask before picking up users.
DiDi Australia said they will implement the futuristic face detection algorithm during Greater Brisbane‘s three-day lockdown which goes into effect at 6pm on Friday.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gave the stay-at-home orders despite the state recording no new local Covid-19 cases on Friday.
DiDi Australia will bring in artificial intelligence technology requiring drivers to prove they are wearing a face mask before picking up users
Health authorities fear a new ‘mutant’ strain from the UK – believed to be 70 more contagious than the initial variant – could wreak havoc on the Sunshine State after a cleaner at a quarantine hotel tested positive to the variant on Thursday.
There are 2.5 million people living in Greater Brisbane with the lockdown applying to the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton, and Redland.
Although residents are only permitted to leave their home for ‘essential’ reasons, ride share services will still be in operation.
But the Chinese-owned rival to Uber announced they will be bringing in a range of Covid-Safe precautions.
The ‘Health-Guard’ system requires drivers to ‘take a selfie’ before going online an accepting DiDi trips.
The technology can then recognise the presence of an appropriate face covering.
DiDi Australia said they will implement the futuristic face detection algorithm during Greater Brisbane’s three-day lockdown which goes into effect at 6pm on Friday
‘We are committed to providing a safe and reliable mobility platform for Brisbane residents through the COVID-19 crisis,’ DiDi Australia and New Zealand General Manager, Mr Lyn Ma, said.
‘The health and safety of DiDi riders and drivers is our absolute priority, and we are actively working on more ways to improve the safety and affordability of ride sharing in the city.’
But while drivers are required to wear face masks, so are passengers.
Thousands of complimentary face masks have already been distributed to DiDi’s Brisbane drivers in case users do not have one.
DiDi said they will even take users to Covid testing facilities during the lockdown if their drivers accept the ride.
The Chinese ride share giant first launched in Australia back in 2018 (DiDi cars pictured in Sydney)
‘DiDi recognises that there may be members of the community whose only option to access COVID-19 testing centre is through a rideshare service,’ the company said.
‘DiDi riders are asked to tell their drivers that they are going through a COVID-19 drive-through testing site.
‘Give the driver the opportunity to continue or cancel your trip.
‘Every driver is different. If a driver is uncomfortable with your trip and cancels – you will not be charged and can request again to find another driver.’
DiDi said the number of passengers will be limited during the lockdown to two riders in a DiDi Express and four in a DiDi Max.
The lockdown will conclude on Monday at 6pm.
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