[DigitalToday intern reporter Seung-a Yoo] Uber has launched Uber Parking, a service that allows users to search for and reserve parking spaces in its application. Following ride-hailing and food delivery, it is expanding into parking for private-car users as part of a strategy to integrate mobility-related services into a single platform.

On Nov. 9 (local time), Uber and several foreign media reported that Uber launched Uber Parking by integrating into its app the functions of SpotHero, a parking reservation service it said in February it would acquire. Through the acquisition, Uber secured a network of more than 13,000 parking lots and parking zones and valet parking services operating in more than 400 cities in the United States and Canada.

Uber Parking lets users search for parking near their destination and reserve it before arriving. Users can tap the “Parking” icon on the Uber app home screen and enter the destination and the date and time for parking. They can then check available parking spots and prices on an interactive map. Results can also be filtered by criteria such as parking type and amenities, including self-parking or valet, indoor garages or outdoor zones, and whether on-site staff are available.

To reserve, users must enter the vehicle maker and model and the licence plate information, and payment can be made using a method registered in the Uber wallet. Upon arrival, users can enter by scanning a dedicated QR code or using a licence plate recognition system, depending on the facility. Users can also extend the reservation time in the app. For cancellations, most parking options can be cancelled for free until before the reservation start time.

Additional benefits are also offered to Uber One subscribers. When they complete an eligible parking reservation, they can receive 10 percent of the payment amount back in Uber credits, which can be used for future ride-hailing or Uber Eats orders. Uber One subscribers surpassed 55 million as of Sept. 30.

The service is available at first only in 15 U.S. cities. The launch areas are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The full network of more than 400 cities secured by SpotHero is not being included in the service at once.

The launch is part of Uber's strategy to expand its service ecosystem with ride-hailing and food and grocery delivery, car rentals, hotel reservations, links to public transport and robotaxis, among others. In particular, it reflects an intent to broaden customer touchpoints by keeping even users who commute by private car within the app.

The potential for links to its autonomous driving business is also drawing attention. Uber plans to test ways to use SpotHero parking spaces as waiting and staging hubs for vehicles operated by its autonomous driving partners. The idea is to have autonomous vehicles wait in parking lots instead of roaming the roads when there is no demand, reducing urban traffic congestion and the distance driven without passengers.