Waze folds Gemini into search, routing, and a new motorcycle mode

Waze rolled out five AI features — conversational Gemini destination search, trip-history-based routing, voice-reported road closures, a quieter 'less chatty' mode, and a motorcycle mode with hazard alerts now live in seven markets. It reads as incremental app polish, not a step-change, but marks Google's steady push to wire Gemini into every consumer surface where it can outflank Apple Maps.

Source: techcrunch.com ↗

Find me a coffee shop that's open right now. Find me parking close to Grand Mall. Find me a gas station nearby with the lowest prices.

Waze (example user queries)

Why this matters

→ Waze integrates Gemini to compete directly with Apple Maps through conversational search.
→ Personalized routing learns user preferences, improving navigation accuracy.
→ Motorcycle mode addresses safety hazards specific to two-wheelers in emerging markets.

Google's Gemini push