Waze Rolls Out New AI Features Including Motorcycle and 'Less Chatty' Modes

Like Google Maps, Waze is fully embracing Gemini.

Waze, Google’s other navigation app, is introducing a suite of new AI-powered features designed to enhance motorcycle navigation and reduce the intrusiveness of voice guidance.

According to Google, the app’s new Motorcycle mode leverages AI to address the unique needs of two-wheeled vehicles—such as access to motorcycle-specific shortcuts and identification of rider-specific hazards like potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings, and narrow bridges. While AI integration may raise questions about direction accuracy, Waze’s motorcycle insights remain grounded in its real-time traffic map and curated updates from a community of human editors focused specifically on motorcycle safety.

This update also introduces new personalization capabilities. Waze will now recommend routes based on your past trips alongside its standard traffic-aware suggestions. These personalized route recommendations can be disabled, though Google believes they better anticipate your driving preferences. A new 'Less Chatty' mode adjusts how Waze delivers voice guidance: if you’re tired of frequent interruptions for upcoming turns or hazards, switching voice guidance to 'Less Chatty' reduces non-essential prompts and prioritizes only critical directions and reminders.

Of course, if you’d rather talk to Waze, its expanding Gemini integration unlocks new conversational capabilities. Starting in October 2024, Waze began testing "Conversational Reporting"—a feature allowing users to report traffic incidents using natural language. With this update, Conversational Reporting now also supports suggesting map improvements. Through Waze’s voice search powered by Gemini, you can ask questions like "Find me a gas station nearby with the lowest prices" and receive a tailored list of results.

Waze’s personalization features, 'Less Chatty' mode, and Conversational Reporting are rolling out globally on Android and iOS. Gemini-powered voice search is currently available to Waze’s global beta community, while Motorcycle Mode is launching specifically for users in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines.