Waze is rolling out a major upgrade to its navigation platform, introducing AI-powered features, deeper personalisation and new tools designed to make driving less distracting and more responsive to real-world conditions.
Google Brings Gemini Deeper Into Waze
The Google-owned app is integrating Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, as part of the company’s broader push to bring AI across its products.
Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram
Among the headline updates is conversational voice search, allowing users to find places based on intent rather than exact names. Drivers can ask questions such as “Find me a coffee shop that’s open right now,” “Find me parking near Grand Mall,” or “Find me the cheapest gas station nearby,” with Waze returning relevant suggestions.
The feature is currently rolling out to the Waze beta community worldwide on Android and iOS.
Personalized Routes Based On Driving Preferences
Waze is also expanding personalised navigation by suggesting routes based on a user’s driving history and local traffic patterns. Drivers who consistently prefer highways over local roads, for example, will see those routes suggested first.
Users can still choose alternative routes or disable personalisation in the app’s settings. The rollout is now underway globally on Android and iOS.
Motorcycle Mode Targets Two-Wheeler Realities
For riders, Waze is introducing a new Motorcycle mode designed to account for road restrictions, shortcuts and hazards specific to two-wheel travel.
Using AI, the feature generates more suitable routes and more accurate arrival estimates while highlighting obstacles such as potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings and narrow bridges.
The mode is rolling out in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines on Android and iOS, with additional markets expected to follow.
Conversational Road Reporting Becomes More Useful
Waze already allows drivers to report traffic incidents using natural speech. It is now extending that capability to map updates, enabling users to verbally report road closures, outdated addresses and other issues, which are then forwarded to local map editors.
Instead of navigating through menus, drivers can simply say, “The road is closed here.” The capability is becoming available globally on Android and iOS.
A Quieter Option For Focused Driving
To reduce distractions, Waze is also introducing a “less chatty” mode that shortens and reduces the frequency of voice prompts while continuing to provide essential navigation instructions and hazard alerts.
Users on Android and iOS will receive the feature as the global rollout continues.







