Bolt is upgrading its Driver App chat with the option to translate speech to text. This means driver-partners will now have the ability to dictate a chat message instead of typing it, and the Bolt app will transcribe it to text, translate the text to the rider’s preferred language, and send it as a regular chat message to the rider. This enables driver-partners to communicate more easily with passengers without speaking a shared language.
Driver-partners can use this by tapping the microphone symbol in the respective chat, permitting Bolt to use the phone’s microphone, selecting their language, dictating the message, checking and editing it as needed, and sending it as a message, which will automatically translate to the rider’s preferred language.
With this translation function, the chat upgrade starting with Android devices will help local driver-partners communicate with tourists, many of whom already use Bolt while travelling to the 50+ markets around the world where Bolt operates without needing to speak a shared language. It’s one of a number of ways Bolt enables driver-partners and customers to communicate with each other, including in-app calls, chat messages and language programmes to help bridge language barriers.
The upgrade joins recent Driver App upgrades, including Driver Compliments, which recognise exceptional service and motivate driver partners through sharing positive post-trip rating compliments and customer comments.
Sandra Buyole, Regional PR Manager at Bolt, said: “At Bolt, we know how important it is to have quick and effective communication between driver-partners and riders. With this upgrade, we enable driver-partners in South Africa to communicate more easily and swiftly with our riders. It’s one of a number of ways we support a high-quality platform through quick and easy communication between driver-partners and riders, including in-app calls, chat messages, and language programmes aimed at helping bridge language barriers.”