Waze has announced a set of new features, including a dedicated motorcycle mode, personalized route suggestions, a less chatty voice guidance option, conversational map reporting, and Gemini-powered destination search.
Motorcycle mode
Waze has introduced a dedicated motorcycle mode that uses AI to account for motorcycle-specific shortcuts and road restrictions when calculating routes and estimated arrival times. The mode also considers the different routing requirements of motorcycles, including access to narrower roads and greater sensitivity to road conditions.
Key highlights include:
- AI-powered routing for motorcycles
- Motorcycle-specific shortcuts and road restrictions
- Hazard alerts for potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings, and narrow bridges
- Real-time traffic information and community-contributed map updates
Personalized navigation and voice guidance
Waze now suggests routes based on a user’s previous trips alongside its understanding of local traffic patterns. Drivers who usually prefer highways over local streets with multiple stops may see those routes suggested first. Users can also choose alternate routes or disable personalized navigation through the app’s settings.
The update also introduces Less chatty mode, which:
- Reduces the number of voice prompts
- Keeps voice guidance shorter
- Continues to provide alerts for turns, lane guidance, and road hazards
Gemini-powered features
Waze has expanded its Gemini-powered Conversational Reporting feature. In addition to reporting traffic incidents such as slowdowns using natural language, users can now report map updates, including road closures and outdated addresses. These reports are reviewed by local map editors before they are added to the map.
The update also introduces Gemini-powered destination search. Users can tap the voice search icon and ask for:
- An open coffee shop
- Parking near a destination
- A nearby fuel station with the lowest prices
Waze then displays matching results that users can select using voice commands.
Availability
- Motorcycle mode: Rolling out on Android and iOS in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines, with more countries planned.
- Personalized navigation: Rolling out globally on Android and iOS.
- Less chatty mode: Rolling out globally on Android and iOS.
- Conversational Reporting for map updates: Rolling out globally on Android and iOS.
- Gemini-powered destination search: Rolling out to the Waze beta community globally on Android and iOS.