Uber Technologies Inc. is developing a service similar to TaskRabbit, enabling app users to hire individuals to perform various tasks.
The prospective upcoming service, internally referred to as “Chore,” was found within the hidden code strings of Uber’s iPhone app. As indicated by the code, users will have the option to engage a “tasker” for a minimum duration of one hour. The app will prompt users to specify the task, estimate its duration, and indicate the preferred arrival time for the person hired.
Much like the process for requesting a ride or placing a food delivery order, the code suggests that users will have to input the task’s address, review their request, and then confirm by pressing a submit button. The app will calculate the cost based on the time needed to complete the task. The code is in its preliminary stages and does not offer specific instances of potential tasks. However, similar services like TaskRabbit Inc. and Angi Inc. currently offer a range of tasks, including mounting TVs, appliance repairs, and cleaning, providing a glimpse into the potential offerings of Uber’s “Chore” service.
Nevertheless, there is no certainty that Uber will ultimately launch this service or when it might do so, but the engineering efforts to expand in this direction suggest that Uber is contemplating such a move. Uber typically tests new features in specific regions, although it is not currently conducting any trials of such a service. Entering the tasking market would represent a significant expansion for Uber. Despite achieving its first-ever operating profit in the last quarter, the company experienced a 14% increase in sales, marking the slowest growth rate since the first quarter of 2021.
This is very interesting that Uber is pivoting on its transportation to upsell through tasks. It is like building a mobile service delivery pipeline.