Waze has announced a series of updates designed to increase personalization and provide more specific routing options for different types of drivers. The navigation platform is integrating new capabilities powered by Gemini, Google's generative AI, to assist with trip planning and map maintenance. These features are being deployed across Android and iOS platforms globally, with some tools currently limited to specific regions or beta testers.
A significant addition is the new motorcycle mode, which provides routes optimized for two-wheeled vehicles. This mode accounts for narrower streets and specific road hazards that are often problematic for riders, such as potholes, speed bumps, and narrow bridges. The feature relies on real-time traffic data and input from a community of motorcycle map editors. It is currently available in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines, with plans for further expansion.
The app is also introducing personalized navigation, which suggests routes based on a user's historical driving preferences. By analyzing past trips and local traffic patterns, Waze can prioritize routes that align with individual habits, such as a preference for highways over local roads. Users retain control over these suggestions and can disable the personalization settings or select alternate routes at any time.
To reduce distractions, Waze has launched a less chatty mode for drivers who prefer fewer voice prompts during their journey. When enabled, the app minimizes the frequency of verbal instructions while maintaining critical alerts for lane changes, turns, and road hazards. This update is intended to allow users to focus more on their audio entertainment, such as music or podcasts, without missing essential navigation cues.
The integration of Gemini also extends to how users interact with the map and search for destinations. Conversational reporting now allows drivers to suggest map updates, such as road closures or incorrect addresses, by speaking naturally to the app. Additionally, a new search feature currently available to the beta community enables users to ask questions to find specific locations, such as parking near a landmark or gas stations with the lowest prices, using voice commands.