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Uber is experimenting with a new service that allows users to hire drivers from its app to complete everyday household chores and projects, in a bid to expand beyond its existing ridesharing and courier business. The service, called Uber Tasks, will launch as a \u201csmall pilot\u201d in the coming weeks in Fort Myers, Florida and Edmonton, Alberta.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The news, first reported by Bloomberg<\/em><\/a>, confirms an earlier report from the publication in September<\/a> that found evidence for a new \u201cChore\u201d option<\/a> within the Uber app\u2019s code. Uber Tasks is essentially an online marketplace for freelance laborers, much like TaskRabbit or Thumbtack \u2014 only you\u2019d be advertising tasks specifically to Uber drivers and couriers who can opt-in to the program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Uber drivers and couriers can see the estimated earnings for a task before reserving.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n According to a statement provided to The Verge<\/em> by Uber spokesperson Conor Ferguson, users can advertise chores like furniture assembly, snow removal, at-home laundry, packing\/unpacking, holiday decorating, yard cleanup, garden maintenance, and lawn mowing during the initial pilot. Uber couriers and drivers can then browse the unclaimed tasks, with estimated earnings displayed before reserving. \u201cWe\u2019re always thinking about how to bring people more ways to earn with Uber,\u201d said Ferguson to The Verge<\/em>. \u201cThis small pilot is the newest way for drivers and couriers to put their skills to work and earn on their own schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n