Uber's Product Chief on Expanding Services and AI Integration

Uber has spent the last year quietly pushing beyond its core ride-hailing and delivery businesses, introducing new features such as hotel bookings powered by Expedia, 'shop for me' concierge services, and boat rentals in Europe. Under the hood, the company is also developing a fleet of sensor-equipped vehicles through its AV Labs unit, which aims to gather driving data to strengthen relationships with autonomous vehicle partners. This move can be seen as a hedge against competitors, as Uber competes directly with some of its partners, including Waymo.

In a conversation with TechCrunch, Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal discussed the company's financial services ambitions, its complicated relationship with Waymo, and how AI is starting to show up in ways riders and drivers will notice. Uber's expansion into new services was driven by user demand, Kansal said. 'Every year our teams are building a lot of stuff, and a subset of that we decide is worth sharing with the world on the biggest stage,' he said.

This year, the company focused on travel, introducing hotels on Uber as a partnership with Expedia. The company's financial services ambitions are focused on providing services to consumers, drivers, and merchants. Uber has a debit card for drivers and is experimenting with similar products for merchants.

For consumers, the company offers Uber credits, which can be used for rides and eats. Kansal emphasized that Uber is not trying to be 'everything to everyone.' The company is focused on providing value to its users, rather than trying to compete with every other service. Uber's AV Labs unit is collecting millions of miles worth of driving data, which will help with the development of autonomous vehicles.

The company is also exploring ways to use AI to improve the user experience, including an earner assistant that helps drivers make more money and a grocery cart assistant on Uber Eats. The company's AI integration is also enabling new features, such as voice requests for rides and a 'plan and book my whole trip' feature, which is on the horizon. Uber's relationship with Waymo is complicated, as the two companies compete in some cities.

However, Kansal emphasized that Uber values its partnership with Waymo and is focused on providing a coherent experience for users. Why this matters: Uber's expansion into new services and its integration of AI are significant developments that could have a broader impact on the tech industry. The company's focus on providing value to its users, rather than trying to compete with every other service, is a key strategy that could help it succeed in a crowded market.