Traffic navigation software and application Waze has announced a series of new features to make the experience of motorists on the road better than ever.
According to Waze, more than 140 million app users across the globe contribute to the community every month by driving over 36 billion kilometers. Although traffic may not be at regular levels yet, Waze has rolled out several new features in order to anticipate and respond to users’ specific needs when they eventually get back on the road.
At Home: Planning Trips with Ease
Before hitting the road, Waze users will be able to know what to expect and adjust plans accordingly, and this is made possible as Waze will connect drivers’ needs and preferences with useful information shared by the Waze community.
Feature #1: Trip Suggestions
Trip suggestions provide a visual overview of everything a driver needs to know minutes or hours before leaving, such as the time the trip will take and the traffic along the way. Based on trips taken in the past or recently driven to, Waze will also show personalized recommendations for drivers. This new feature will help drivers anticipate what is happening on the roads, adjust plans when there is still time to make changes, and where possible, get a little time back.
Feature #2: Recent Locations
Recent Locations show drivers the destinations they recently drove to. They are conveniently displayed “front and center” when drivers open the Waze app. With just one tap, drivers can start navigating.
Feature #3: Live Map Save to App
Millions of Waze users viewing their upcoming journey each month on the Live Map using its real-time data will now be able to save their itinerary directly to their Waze app on their Android or iOS device with a single click. This provides a more seamless experience across platforms, and simplifies the process of planning a drive by finding the best route and time to leave, before even getting into the car.
On The Go: Rely on Waze on every trip
Drivers can take advantage of Waze’s real-time hyperlocal expertise to inform how they drive, navigate and experience the roads.
Feature #1: Quick Search
Location badges now appear under the search bar to help surface locations offering drive-through or curbside pickup even faster. In addition to finding the nearest gas station or parking lot along your route, drivers can now search other locations that reinforce social distancing too, to help support local businesses.
Feature #2: Lane Guidance
Lane Guidance (refer to gif on the right) tells drivers which lane to be in, when merging or exiting a stretch of freeway or highway. Fewer mistakes means less stress, and safer driving – plus, the added bonus of drivers keeping their original arrival time.
Feature #3: ETA Improvements
With more people working from home, Waze has had to keep up with drivers’ ever-changing routines, while also supporting essential workers who have been dedicated to keeping essential locations open and functioning. ETA calculations in areas where there are fewer drivers have been improved, which has been especially important in 2020 as it has been harder than ever to predict the changing flow of traffic patterns.
Feature #4: Batman Theme
For some added fun, drivers can activate the Batman experience on Waze and choose the side of DC Super Hero or Super-Villain by selecting the iconic voice of Batman (Kevin Conroy) or The Riddler (Wally Wingert) to guide them on their own adventures. This feature is available globally in English, Spanish and Portuguese until 31 October 2020.
Thanks to Waze’s community and partners – including companies, broadcasters, public and private sector partners, these groups of people can solve the challenges of mobility at a global scale, collectively impacting more than 2 billion citizens and the cities they live in. All new features are now available on the Waze app. For more information, visit this link.