Uber’s product chief on hotels, robotaxis, and why the company doesn’t want to be “everything for everyone”
Source: TechCrunch – 14 Jul 2026
In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Uber’s Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal outlined four areas where the company is shifting its focus: financial‑services ambitions, an increasingly complicated partnership with Waymo, a newly formed AV Labs data operation, and AI features that riders and drivers will begin to notice in the app.
Financial‑services ambition
Kansal confirmed that Uber is moving beyond rides‑hailing and food delivery to explore financial‑services offerings. While the interview did not name specific products, the discussion signals a strategic push to add revenue streams that complement Uber’s core mobility platform.
Growing complexity with Waymo
Uber’s relationship with autonomous‑driving leader Waymo is described as “increasingly complicated.” The comment hints at negotiations or technical integration challenges that could affect how Uber’s future robotaxi service aligns with Waymo’s technology roadmap.
AV Labs data operation
A new AV Labs data operation is being launched to centralize the collection and analysis of autonomous‑vehicle data. By consolidating this information, Uber aims to accelerate the development and testing of its self‑driving fleet.
AI that riders and drivers can feel
Kansal noted that AI is starting to appear in ways that are perceptible to both riders and drivers. Though no concrete features were disclosed, the remark suggests that machine‑learning models are moving from behind‑the‑scenes optimization to user‑facing functionalities.
Why it matters
Diversification: Adding financial services reduces reliance on a single business line, which could improve resilience against fluctuations in mobility demand.
Competitive positioning: A smoother or more integrated relationship with Waymo may be critical for Uber’s long‑term robotaxi strategy.
Data advantage: A dedicated AV Labs data hub could shorten development cycles, giving Uber a technical edge in autonomous‑vehicle testing.
User experience: Visible AI improvements may raise rider expectations and driver efficiency, influencing overall satisfaction.
Who is affected
Riders – potential new payment options and AI‑enhanced journey features.
Drivers – AI tools that could streamline navigation or earnings insights.
Partners – Waymo and other technology providers navigating tighter collaborations.
Investors – broader service portfolio may impact valuation metrics.
What to watch next
Announcements of any financial‑services products under the Uber brand.
Updates on the Waymo partnership, especially any joint pilots or integration milestones.
Roll‑out details for AV Labs, including data‑sharing policies and test‑site expansions.
Real‑world AI feature releases that directly affect the Uber app experience.
“AI is starting to show up in ways riders and drivers will actually notice,” Kansal told TechCrunch, underscoring a shift from back‑end efficiency gains to front‑end user impact.
Stay tuned for follow‑up reports as Uber translates these strategic directions into concrete product launches and partnership outcomes.