Ride service application company Uber is buying mapping and search start-up deCarta for an unspecified amount, technology Web site Mashable said yesterday, citing an Uber representative.
Uber would buy deCarta's technology and talent through the deal, which closes later this week, Mashable reported. Uber currently uses Google's mapping service.
DeCarta provides a software platform that focuses on location-based service technology, including mapping, routing and turn-by-turn navigation.
Thirty out of 40 deCarta employees will remain with the company, including Kim Fennell, CEO and president.
Uber moves
Locally, Uber launched UberAssist in Cape Town on Monday. The temporary vehicle option allowed riders to request a car to collect various donations for the firefighters battling the blazes that destroyed thousands of hectares across the south peninsula, including areas from Muizenberg to Noordhoek, Hout Bay and Westlake.
"The uptake was incredible; there was no charge for the UberAssist request and donations of bottled water, sports energy drinks and non-perishable food items poured in," says Uber spokesperson Samantha Allenberg.
"We wanted to find a way to support the brave firefighters as well as facilitate a way to allow the public to easily help them. Making use of our technology was the simplest and most seamless way to help.
"As a technology company, our strength is that we can move and adapt quickly, based on what works best for each city."
Allenberg says each Uber team in each city has systems in place whereby they look at situations to find out how the Uber system can add value.
This week, Uber South Africa is also teaming up with Volkswagen to launch its new up! car. Uber users in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban will be able to request an Uber up! to pick them up for free until Sunday.
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