• by Tanya Gazdik , 7 hours ago

Waze, the Google-owned social GPS navigation app, is aiming to give drivers more flexibility on the road thanks to some new features, including new Gemini AI assistant updates.

“Some of the new features are powered by Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which reflects the tech giant’s broader push to integrate Gemini across its products while also better positioning Waze to compete with rival services such as Apple Maps,” according to TechCrunch. “The app now suggests routes based on both a user’s trip history and its understanding of a city’s traffic patterns. For example, if a user prefers driving on highways over local streets, they will see those suggested first. If users don’t want personalized routes, they can choose alternate routes or turn off personalization altogether in their settings. Personalized navigation is rolling out now globally on Android and iOS.”

Users will be able to have a quick chat with the app to find destinations based on certain criteria filters without having to press buttons on the screen.

“Thanks to Google’s Gemini AI assistant, Wazers can just press the search voice icon and give instructions like ‘Find me a coffee shop that’s open right now,’ ‘Find me parking close to Grand Mall,’ or even ‘Find me a gas station nearby with the lowest prices for premium gas,” according to Inside EVs.

Another change involves Waze’s voice interface and lets drivers make their in-car experience more or less verbose.

“A ‘less chatty’ mode will have the app reduce its voice prompts to ‘critical reminders about hazards, turns, and lane changes’—delivered, per Google’s post, less often than by default,” according to PC Mag. 

Google is also expanding the Conversational Reporting feature, based on the company's Gemini AI models, beyond its current support for reporting traffic issues in simple spoken-word speech.

“Conversational Reporting already uses Gemini capabilities to help you report traffic incidents like slowdowns, just by talking naturally,” Gai Berkovich, Waze vice president and general manager writes in a blog post. “Now you can also use Conversational Reporting to suggest map updates — like a road closure or outdated address — to keep Waze up to date for everyone. Just say, ‘The road is closed here’ and Waze will send these details to local map editors, who verify the suggestion and update the map. Reporting road updates conversationally is rolling out now globally on Android and iOS.”

Motorcycle riders are also getting a dedicated mode.

“Motorcyclists often seek different routes than cars, whether that means alley shortcuts or avoiding slippery road surfaces, and Waze is using AI to incorporate two-wheel-specific shortcuts and restrictions,” according to Road and Track. “The mode will focus on calling out potholes, speed bumps, and other particularly hazardous obstacles for motorcycles. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines will receive Motorcycle Mode first, though Waze said additional countries will be added soon.”

All of this is powered by Waze’s real-time traffic information and a dedicated group of motorcycle map editors who are constantly adding new hazards to the map.