Uber Ventures Beyond Ridesharing: Introduces “Uber Tasks” for Everyday Chores

Uber is set to launch a new venture called “Uber Tasks,” aiming to transform its app into a platform for household chores and projects. This marks a significant departure from its traditional ridesharing and courier business, as Uber seeks new avenues for growth and revenue.

The experimental service, initially launching in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, will operate as a “small pilot” in the coming weeks. Uber Tasks acts as an online marketplace connecting users with freelance laborers, specifically Uber drivers and couriers who choose to participate in the program. The service introduces a new dimension to the gig economy, allowing individuals to hire drivers for a variety of everyday tasks.

Users can list a range of chores on Uber Tasks, including furniture assembly, snow removal, at-home laundry, packing/unpacking, holiday decorating, yard cleanup, garden maintenance, and lawn mowing during the initial pilot phase. Uber drivers and couriers, in turn, can browse available tasks, with estimated earnings displayed upfront before choosing to reserve a task.

Conor Ferguson, a spokesperson for Uber, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing more opportunities for its drivers and couriers to earn income on their own schedule. “We’re always thinking about how to bring people more ways to earn with Uber,” stated Ferguson.

The move into household chores comes as Uber seeks to address sluggish growth, despite reporting its second consecutive profitable quarter for 2023. The company’s expansion efforts have included ventures into new markets, such as launching a flight booking service in the UK, and exploring additional revenue streams by incorporating video ads into its apps.

Uber Tasks enters a competitive landscape that includes established players like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack. However, Uber’s unique approach leverages its existing pool of drivers and couriers, potentially offering a more seamless experience for users looking to outsource various tasks.

As the pilot program unfolds, Uber will closely monitor the response from users and laborers, evaluating the viability of expanding Uber Tasks to additional markets in the future. The success of this endeavor could redefine Uber’s role in the gig economy, shaping it into a comprehensive platform for various services beyond transportation and delivery.