Uber CPO Sachin Kansal on Hotels, Robotaxis, and AI Strategy: 'We're Not Trying to Do Everything'

Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal recently sat down with TechCrunch for an in-depth interview covering several of the ride-hailing giant's most consequential strategic directions — from financial services expansion and autonomous vehicle partnerships to real-world AI deployment across its consumer products.

Financial Services: Uber's Next Frontier?

Kansal revealed that Uber is actively building out a financial services layer, looking to extend its platform ecosystem into payments and credit offerings. The move aligns with the global super-app trend, though Kansal was careful to note that Uber's approach is anchored in its existing rider and driver communities — rather than wholesale replicating the all-in-one financial platforms seen in Southeast Asia or China.

The Waymo Relationship: Collaboration With Competitive Undertones

Uber's partnership with Waymo continues to draw industry scrutiny. While the two companies have integrated services in select markets, the boundaries of their respective interests are blurring as Waymo steadily expands its direct-to-consumer robotaxi footprint. Kansal acknowledged the relationship has become "increasingly complex," signaling that Uber is actively working out how to position itself within a landscape where its AV partners are also potential competitors.

AV Labs: Using Data to Stay Relevant in the Autonomous Era

Uber's newly formed AV Labs division is dedicated to collecting and leveraging data related to autonomous vehicles — a clear signal that the company has no intention of ceding its influence in the AV supply chain, even after having divested its own self-driving R&D unit years ago. By building a data business at the platform layer, Uber aims to retain meaningful technical leverage as autonomy scales across the industry.

AI in Practice: Changes Riders and Drivers Can Actually Feel

Kansal stressed that AI is being woven into Uber's products in ways that are tangible to end users — not just backend infrastructure. From route optimization and demand forecasting to automated customer support, the company is pushing AI applications directly into the booking interface for riders and the dispatch workflow for drivers.

A Focused Strategy: Resisting the 'Do Everything' Temptation

Addressing concerns about Uber's diversification appetite, Kansal was unequivocal: Uber does not intend to become a platform that does everything. The company's competitive edge lies in its mobility and delivery network, and future product strategy will deepen around that core rather than chase breadth for its own sake.

The interview offers a clear window into Uber's post-pandemic product philosophy: use AI to strengthen existing core businesses, use data to secure a position in the autonomous vehicle era, and evaluate every new initiative against whether it genuinely fits the company's long-term identity.

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