Uber We are entering the travel industry.
The company announced several new products Wednesday at its annual Go-Get event in New York as it seeks to attract more users to its platform and differentiate itself beyond its core ride-hailing business.
Rather than focus on an ambitious bet on self-driving cars, Uber has used its annual product showcase to feature new areas like hotel booking and shopping, as it seeks to position itself as an all-in-one super app.
In addition to self-driving cars, Uber’s bets include freight transportation, chauffeur services, skiing, and more. The company is also expanding its grocery delivery services and partnering with Joby Aviation to offer all-electric air taxis.
The new travel bet aims to simplify the experience and reduce stress for busy consumers, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told a live audience on Wednesday.
“Uber is already the go-to platform for global travel,” he said. “If we’re the first app you open when you get to your city, it makes sense that we’d try to make the whole trip, the whole experience, simpler.”
The main new products announced are:
Hotel reservation
Uber offers hotel bookings on its platform through an integration with Expedia.
Source: Uber
Travelers planning their next vacation or work trip can book their next stay with Uber. The company partners with travel platforms expedia group We offer more than 700,000 hotel booking options to our users in the US and plan to add home rentals through Vrbo later this year. Khosrowshahi previously led a travel booking platform.
A new hotel icon in the Uber app allows users to narrow down accommodations using filters such as price, ratings, and amenities. Uber One members receive a 20% discount on hotel groups they travel to, plus an additional 10% back in Uber One credits.
This service puts Uber in direct competition with a travel booking space dominated by platforms such as: Reservation held and home rental platform airbnb.
Book with AI
New AI voice feature for Uber ride bookings using models from OpenAI.
Source: Uber
Uber is adding more artificial intelligence to its platform with a new voice booking chatbot. Users can book their next ride through voice-prompted conversations using the company’s new tool, powered by OpenAI models.
“At Uber, we use a full range of AI tools from leading providers, from core engineering to AI-powered products, as well as our own AI stack,” Uber said in a statement.
Like its competitors, Uber is gradually adding new AI features to improve its platform for customers and stores. New initiatives include AI tools like the Cart Assistant feature for grocery delivery launched with Uber Eats earlier this year, as well as AI-powered menu descriptions.
Shopping with Uber
As it continues to expand beyond ride-hailing, Uber is launching a shopping feature that extends to stores that aren’t even listed on the Uber app. Users can send photos and details to a personal shopper and pay for items sold in the store.
Travel mode and room service
The new travel bets aren’t just about hotel reservations. The company has announced two new upgrades to improve the travel experience for users.
Uber One members can now earn ride credits and $0 delivery fees while abroad, and have access to benefits as soon as they return to the continental United States. The app also carefully selects interesting and popular tourist spots for travelers.
Uber is also launching its own room service feature to deliver often-forgotten travel essentials like toothbrushes to hotels.
road fuel
New feature allows Uber Black or Uber Black SUV passengers to add food or coffee pickup
Source: Uber
Uber is debuting a new way to fuel your early morning rides and commutes.
Customers who book an Uber Black or Black SUV can add Uber Eats items, such as coffee, for the driver to pick up along the way. The program will launch in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas over the coming weeks.
