Uber’s product chief on hotels, robotaxis, and why the company doesn’t want to be “everything for everyone”

In the past year, Uber has been broadening its scope beyond its well-known ride-hailing and delivery services. Users of the app can now discover features such as hotel bookings through Expedia, concierge services for shopping, and even boat rentals in Europe. Behind the scenes, the company is also innovating with initiatives like debit cards for drivers and a new venture called AV Labs, aimed at developing a fleet of autonomous vehicles equipped with advanced sensors to collect extensive driving data. Uber's Chief Product Officer, Sachin Kansal, recently shared insights about these developments. He emphasized the company's strategy to enhance its travel offerings, noting that 1.5 billion trips occur outside users' home cities, indicating a strong demand for travel-related services. The introduction of hotel bookings and the convenience of rides from the airport to hotels are central to this expansion. Moreover, with the 'shop for me' feature, users can order from local stores that may not be part of Uber Eats, further enhancing the travel experience. As Uber explores financial services, it aims to cater to consumers, drivers, and merchants. Currently, products like the Uber Pro card allow drivers to manage their earnings effectively. The company is also testing financial tools for merchants in select regions, with consumers potentially benefiting from features like Uber credits, which reward members with cashback for hotel bookings. Kansal clarified that while Uber is not striving to be an all-encompassing app, it is leveraging partnerships for services like boat rentals to enhance user experience without overextending its resources. The Uber One membership has gained significant traction, boasting 51 million members, which has improved cross-usage across Uber's services, leading to increased frequency in both ride and delivery orders. Despite initial profitability challenges, Uber Eats has recently turned a profit and is now a vital component of Uber's financial health. When discussing competition, Kansal stated that while there are many rivals, his primary concern is maximizing value for users rather than fixating on competitors. Regarding autonomous vehicles, Uber recently concluded its pilot program with Waymo in Phoenix while expanding its operations in Austin and Atlanta. The focus remains on building a hybrid network that blends human drivers with autonomous vehicles, facilitating better demand and supply balance. With AV Labs, Uber plans to equip numerous cars with sensors, collecting valuable driving data to address complex scenarios in autonomous driving. The company is also exploring partnerships with AI firms to leverage data for enhancing services, although Kansal emphasized that no rider conversations are recorded during trips. Kansal highlighted the integration of AI in various user-facing features, such as an earner assistant that helps drivers find better earning opportunities and a grocery cart assistant for Uber Eats. He hinted at future developments where AI could streamline the travel planning process, allowing users to specify their needs directly. As he prioritizes new initiatives, Kansal remains focused on refining existing products while selectively nurturing innovative ideas that align with Uber's broader goals.