Uber CPO on Hotels, Robotaxis & Focused Strategy
Original: Uber’s product chief on hotels, robotaxis, and why the company doesn’t want to be “everything for everyone”
Why This Matters
Uber's expansion into travel, AV data, and financial services signals a major platform diversification strategy.
Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal outlined the company's expansion into hotel bookings via Expedia, AV Labs data operations, and financial services for drivers, while stating Uber does not aim to become an all-encompassing super-app.
Uber has been quietly expanding beyond ride-hailing and food delivery. The app now features hotel bookings powered by Expedia, a 'shop for me' concierge service, and boat rentals in Europe. CPO Sachin Kansal described travel as 'the third leg of the stool,' noting that 1.5 billion Uber trips annually occur outside a user's home city. Behind the scenes, Uber launched AV Labs six months ago — a separate business unit deploying sensor-equipped vehicles to collect large-scale driving data, distinct from its regular driver network. Uber frames AV Labs as a way to strengthen ties with autonomous vehicle partners, several of which it holds equity stakes in, though the unit also functions as a strategic hedge against competitors like Waymo. Kansal noted that financial services are being developed for both consumers and drivers, including debit cards and a data-labeling side income program for drivers. Despite these expansions, Kansal emphasized Uber does not want to be 'everything for everyone,' distancing it from the Asian super-app model seen in apps like Grab. AI integration is also accelerating in ways that will be visible to both riders and drivers.