Ah, Uber. I’m simply unsure what the corporate desires to be with its ever-expanding model and platform. Sooner or later it’s a platform for flying vehicles. The subsequent day it’s all about bikes, then it decides to let taxis share its platform.
And yesterday, it set its sights (or web site, to be particular) a lot increased than ride-hailing and meals supply to one thing akin to life concierge, launching a brand new vary of service choices beneath the model. Let’s check out their choices and share some ideas on the deserves of every:
Uber Journey
Uber is right here to resolve the ache of app switching courtesy of its very personal platform.
Beginning this summer time within the UK, you’ll be capable to e book trains, coaches, and automotive leases utilizing the app.
And, within the US and Canada, you’ll be able to reserve rides for every leg of your itinerary in a single fell swoop. You then can earn 10% again in Uber Money for every Reserve trip you e book.
Verdict: That is sensible and provides an enormous disruption to platforms like Omio, which companions with over 1,000 transportation suppliers throughout trains, buses, flights, ferries, vehicles, and airport transfers for in-app bookings.
And, assuming your flights aren’t delayed by baggage assortment, the concept of rocking as much as an airport and having your trip ready for you is fairly interesting.
All aboard the Uber social gathering bus
And if that’s not sufficient, Uber Constitution is launching within the US this summer time and can allow you to e book a celebration bus, passenger van, or constitution bus. Nice for weddings and work journeys.
Verdict: Good. Often you’d be Googling for ages to discover a firm that may take you to a vineyard, work retreat, or no matter. I might think about integration with Journey Advisor and even Get your Guide sooner or later to incorporate experiences.
Vouchers for Occasions
Uber Vouchers is what it seems like. You may manage vouchers for company at a piece occasion or wedding ceremony, for instance, and share them together with your company by way of the app.
Verdict: Like with the Uber social gathering bus concept, I believe the corporate is de facto chasing the marriage market – choosing up company on the airport, organizing the commute for the bridal bathe, and so forth. Contemplating the variety of weddings postponed due to COVID, this may very well be vastly profitable.
Consolation Electrical
Okay, it seems like a therapeutic massage chair, however that is really a characteristic within the app that lets you request a trip in a premium EV like a Tesla or Polestar.
Uber’s additionally on a mission to get its drivers to transform to EVs. They will evaluate the price of possession of an EV with a non-EV utilizing the app. The corporate has additionally added a map of the closest EV chargers and their charging speeds.
Verdict: That is curious contemplating that ride-hailing corporations are struggling to get drivers. And if they will’t afford fuel, they’re not going to have the ability to afford to purchase an EV to make use of on the platform. In order that they’ll be renting a Tesla from Hertz or comparable.
I would like inexperienced mobility, however I’m not clear on the cost-benefits of this, or if it should result in extra drivers. I’m skeptical.
Voice Ordering
Uber is now integrating with Google Help into Uber eats to allow you to order meals utilizing your voice.
Verdict: You’ve been in a position to do that with Alexa for some time. This simply expands the providing.
Uber Eats at Stadium
For those who like watching sports activities out within the open, you’re in luck. Uber’s partnering with Postmates for in-seat meals ordering at chosen stadiums.
Verdict: Many sensible stadiums are already providing the identical service beneath their very own apps. This simply retains it within the Uber household.
Autonomous Supply
This week we additionally noticed Uber introduce two autonomous supply packages in Los Angeles: Serve Robotics sidewalk robots and Motional all-electric autonomous automobile fleets.
The latter is essentially the most fascinating. Motional and Uber announced their partnership in December final 12 months, bringing the primary autonomous automobile pilot on the Uber Eats community and Motional’s first try at supply.
Verdict: Supply robots and autonomous automobiles are a logical resolution to the driving force shortages. These drivers who simply shelled out to rent a Tesla gained’t be too anxious simply but, nevertheless it reveals how the wind is blowing.
Uber One
Uber One was launched in November 2021, providing upgrades to the platform for $9.99 per thirty days, resembling $5 in Uber Money for late deliveries. Now the corporate is launching perks with companions resembling Marriott Bonvoy®, CLEAR, and obé Health, extending this system globally.
So, in conclusion, Uber is de facto making an attempt to be a life concierge, lowering our determination fatigue and context switching by making every thing obtainable within the one app. It’s not essentially providing something you couldn’t get elsewhere, nevertheless it’s making all of it obtainable in a single place.
It wouldn’t shock me in the event you might e book flights or enroll in a digital biometric passport program sooner or later.
However all of this implies they get buyer loyalty. In addition they cease you from trying elsewhere. I’m additionally interested in its impression on small companies, not on the Uber platform.
And extra concerningly, Uber features a wealthy arsenal of knowledge to find out future product choices and share with their prolonged community of third events.
How you are feeling about this will depend on your stance on digital privateness – and whether or not we’ve misplaced that battle.
I’ve been questioning Uber’s fixed diversification for some time, and I can’t assist pondering that is just the start.
