Uber has long been known for its ridesharing and courier services, but now the company is looking to expand its offerings with a new venture called Uber Tasks. This new service will allow users to hire drivers from the Uber app to complete everyday household chores and projects. The service is set to launch as a small pilot in the coming weeks in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta.
The idea for Uber Tasks was first reported by Bloomberg, which found evidence for a new “Chore” option within the Uber app’s code back in September. The service is essentially an online marketplace for freelance laborers, similar to platforms like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack. However, in the case of Uber Tasks, users will be able to advertise tasks specifically to Uber drivers and couriers who can opt-in to the program.
According to a statement provided to The Verge by Uber spokesperson Conor Ferguson, during the initial pilot, users will be able to advertise a variety of chores such as furniture assembly, snow removal, at-home laundry, packing/unpacking, holiday decorating, yard cleanup, garden maintenance, and lawn mowing. Uber couriers and drivers will then be able to browse the available tasks, with estimated earnings displayed before reserving.
This new service is part of Uber’s ongoing efforts to provide more earning opportunities for its drivers and couriers. “We’re always thinking about how to bring people more ways to earn with Uber,” said Ferguson. “This small pilot is the newest way for drivers and couriers to put their skills to work and earn on their own schedule.”
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One of the key features of Uber Tasks is that drivers and couriers can see the estimated earnings for a task before reserving, giving them the flexibility to choose the tasks that best fit their schedule and earning goals. This transparency could be a major draw for drivers and couriers looking to supplement their income with household chores and projects.
The decision to launch the pilot in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, suggests that Uber is testing the waters in smaller markets before potentially expanding the service to more locations. By starting with a limited rollout, Uber can gather valuable feedback from users and refine the service before making it available on a wider scale.
While Uber has not announced any specific plans for the future of Uber Tasks beyond the pilot program, the company’s foray into the household chore market could open up new opportunities for both users and drivers. For users, it provides a convenient way to hire help for everyday tasks without having to search for individual service providers. For drivers and couriers, it offers a flexible way to earn extra income by leveraging their skills and availability.
If successful, Uber Tasks could become a valuable addition to Uber’s suite of services, further diversifying the company’s offerings beyond ridesharing and food delivery. It would also position Uber as a one-stop-shop for a wide range of on-demand services, cementing its status as a leader in the gig economy.
With the growing demand for convenience and flexibility in today’s fast-paced world, the potential for Uber Tasks to fill a niche in the market is significant. As the pilot program gets underway and more users and drivers get a taste of what Uber Tasks has to offer, it will be interesting to see how the service evolves and whether it becomes a permanent fixture in Uber’s lineup of services.
