Ride-hailing platform inDrive has clinched the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for AI – Transportation at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025, underscoring its commitment to building mobility solutions centered on fairness, inclusivity, and human empowerment.
AI for the People, Not Against Them
In an industry often criticized for rigid pricing and lack of transparency, inDrive is redefining how artificial intelligence should be used. Instead of replacing people, its human-centric AI approach empowers both passengers and drivers, creating more equitable transport experiences in busy cities like Manila and Cebu.
Mark Tolley, inDrive’s APAC Director, expressed the team’s pride in the recognition. “This award isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people we serve. We’re using AI to give users more autonomy, ensure fairness, and create safer, more transparent experiences for both passengers and drivers.”
AI in Action: How inDrive Improves Daily Commutes
In the Philippines, where affordability and transparency are top commuter concerns, inDrive’s AI innovations directly tackle everyday challenges:
- Photo-control systems powered by machine vision to check vehicle safety and condition.
- AI-assisted support routing for quicker issue resolution between passengers and drivers.
- Predictive demand algorithms that position drivers where they’re needed most.
- More accurate ETAs and traffic-sensitive routing in congested areas like Metro Manila and Cebu.
Breaking Barriers with Gemini AI
Language diversity in the Philippines often causes booking miscommunications. To address this, inDrive integrated Gemini AI-powered translations within its app. This system handles slang, typos, and informal phrases across English, Tagalog, Cebuano, and other dialects—leading to smoother bookings and improved ride completion rates.
Sofia Guinto, Business Development Head at inDrive Philippines, emphasized the bigger picture, “AI is not just about efficiency—it’s about fairness and opportunity. We want mobility to be more reliable, inclusive, and smarter for Filipinos.”
Safer Rides Through AI Moderation
To ensure a safer commuting environment, inDrive employs AI moderation that scans ride messages, booking notes, and shared media. In the Philippines, this technology has cut misuse of ride instructions by more than threefold within three months, significantly reducing risks for both passengers and drivers.
Building Trust and the Future of Mobility
The award adds to inDrive’s growing reputation in the region. Recently, it was also named the Preferred Ride-Hailing Partner of Echelon Philippines 2025, highlighting its intent to work more closely with fintech players, tech innovators, and policymakers.
Tolley reinforced inDrive’s mission, “Technology is often seen as cold and impersonal. At inDrive, we see AI as a tool to restore trust, strengthen communities, and make journeys more humane.”
Currently, inDrive offers ride-hailing services across the Philippines but has plans to expand into superapp offerings, including courier services and online groceries.
By proving that profitability and fairness can coexist, inDrive is showing the rest of the mobility industry how AI can empower, not exploit. With its award-winning innovations, Filipino commuters and drivers can look forward to safer, smarter, and more inclusive journeys ahead.
If you’re looking for a ride-hailing app that puts people first, inDrive is worth keeping an eye on as it gears up to expand in the Philippines.
