Maxim adds emergency contact feature

Maxim Rides & Food Delivery has added an emergency contact feature to its driver app, which allows driver-partners to alert family members or other trusted individuals whenever they need assistance while on duty.

The new function allows drivers to register a person they trust as an emergency contact. If a problem occurs during a trip or delivery, they can send an SOS notification directly to that person through the app.

The notification informs the designated contact that the driver needs help. It also contains a link to the driver’s location so the recipient can determine where assistance may be needed.

The additional contact option could be useful to drivers who spend long hours on the road, particularly those who handle bookings in unfamiliar areas or work late at night.

A family member who receives the alert can check the driver’s location and contact the appropriate people to arrange assistance.

Maxim said the feature gives its driver-partners another means of contacting someone they know personally during an emergency.

The company already provides several emergency assistance options through its platform. These include an SOS function that allows driver-partners to contact emergency services or alert other Maxim drivers nearby.

An emergency driver support group also monitors SOS signals and responds to incidents reported through the system.

The emergency contact function works alongside these existing services rather than replacing them. Drivers can seek help through the platform while also notifying someone outside Maxim’s support network.

Maxim president Andres Morales Jr. said the additional feature is part of the company’s continuing efforts to address safety concerns among its driver-partners.

“Driver-partner safety remains an important part of our efforts to continuously improve the support experience on our platform,” Morales said.

He explained that emergency contacts give drivers another means of notifying someone they trust and sharing their whereabouts when they require assistance.

Maxim also uses artificial intelligence to help its customer support personnel identify urgent requests.

According to the company, the system classifies incoming reports and identifies those that involve security concerns. Such requests receive priority attention from its customer support team.

The process helps support personnel distinguish urgent safety-related cases from routine service inquiries, particularly when drivers require immediate assistance.

The company did not specify how many emergency contacts a driver-partner can register or whether the notification requires the recipient to have a Maxim account.

Maxim began operations in the Philippines in 2020, with Cebu as its first service area. Its operations have since expanded to 22 other cities across the country.

The platform provides passenger transportation and delivery services through its mobile applications. Customers use the Maxim app to request services, while driver-partners use the Taxsee Driver app to accept and fulfill orders.

With more drivers and customers now served by its Philippine operations, the company continues to develop app-based functions that address concerns encountered during trips and deliveries.