Uber's new Chief Product Officer, Sachin Kansal, is no stranger to using the company's own products and services to identify and fix problems. With a reputation for "dogfooding" – the practice of using one's own products to root out issues – Kansal has taken over 700 trips on Uber, documenting his observations and suggestions for improvement in lengthy reports. As he takes on his new role, Kansal faces a significant challenge: integrating autonomous vehicles into the Uber app, starting with Waymo robotaxis in Austin.

Kansal's task is to oversee the technological matchmaking dance on the backend of the Uber app, which will need to weigh various factors in real-time to decide whether to send a human driver or a robot car. This complexity is exacerbated by the addition of autonomous vehicles, which require a different set of considerations. Uber's marketplace will need to balance the supply of human-driven cars with the growing demand for autonomous rides.

Uber has shifted its strategy from developing autonomous vehicle technology in-house to partnering with other companies. The ride-hailing giant is currently working with 14 autonomous technology companies globally, including Waymo, Avride, Cartken, and Serve Robotics. The partnership with Waymo, in particular, marks a significant milestone, with the "Waymo on Uber" robotaxi service launching in Austin and soon expanding to Atlanta.

The service is an exclusive partnership, with Waymo handling vehicle testing, roadside assistance, and certain aspects of rider support, while Uber manages fleet services such as vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot operations through a company called Moove Cars, rebranding to Avomo. Uber will also handle the matching, pricing, and routing of the robotaxis to their destinations.

The integration of autonomous vehicles into the Uber app raises concerns among drivers, who fear that robotaxis will reduce their pay or take their jobs altogether. Labor unions, such as the Teamsters, have also expressed opposition to robotaxis and self-driving trucks. Kansal acknowledges these concerns but is confident that the AV program will evolve and improve as the company learns from its experiences.

Kansal's dogfooding approach will be crucial in identifying and addressing any issues that arise from the integration of autonomous vehicles. He has already begun riding in Waymo robotaxis in Austin to gain firsthand experience and gather insights. With Uber completing a million trips an hour, according to Kansal, the stakes are high, and the company's success in this area will depend on its ability to provide a seamless and flawless experience for users.

Uber's history with autonomous vehicles has been marked by controversy, including a lawsuit with Waymo over trade secret theft and patent infringement, which was settled in 2018. The company's autonomous test vehicle was also involved in a fatal accident in 2018, leading to a pause in testing. Despite these setbacks, Kansal remains committed to the potential of autonomous vehicles, and his dogfooding approach may hold the key to overcoming the challenges ahead.

As Uber navigates the complex landscape of autonomous vehicle integration, Kansal's leadership will be instrumental in shaping the company's strategy and approach. With the "Waymo on Uber" service marking a significant milestone, the industry will be watching closely to see how Uber's dogfooding approach can help overcome the challenges and controversies surrounding autonomous vehicles.