Waze is introducing a dedicated motorcycle mode intended to make navigation more relevant for riders on two wheels. The feature adjusts route recommendations, estimated arrival times, and hazard alerts around the different conditions faced by motorcycles.
Road hazards such as potholes, speed bumps, and other obstructions can affect a motorcycle journey more severely than a car trip. Waze aims to alert riders to these potential disruptions before they reach the affected area.
AI Built Around Motorcycle Routes
The motorcycle mode uses AI to consider roads that motorcycles can access and restrictions that may apply along a route. This allows the app to produce route recommendations and estimated travel times that better suit motorcycle travel.
A shortcut available to a rider may not be suitable for a car, while certain road restrictions can apply differently to each vehicle type. The new mode is designed around that difference rather than treating every journey as a standard car trip.
According to Liputan6, citing 9to5Google, the motorcycle mode is initially available in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. Waze has said the rollout will expand to additional countries.
| Feature | Main Purpose | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle mode | Adjusts routes, ETA, and hazard warnings for riders | Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines |
| Less chatty | Reduces unnecessary voice guidance | Global on Android and iOS |
| Personalized Navigation | Learns a user’s route preferences | Available in app settings |
Quieter Guidance Without Losing Key Alerts
Waze is also rolling out a voice setting called Less chatty globally for Android and iOS users. When enabled, it cuts down on the number of spoken directions and delivers guidance more concisely.
The setting does not remove information considered essential for a trip. Users will still receive guidance for turns, lane changes, and hazard warnings.
This can be useful for people who listen to music or podcasts while travelling. The app is intended to preserve vital navigation prompts without repeatedly interrupting other audio.
Route Suggestions Can Reflect Previous Choices
Another addition is Personalized Navigation, which can learn route preferences from a user’s earlier journeys. For example, someone who regularly chooses toll roads over arterial roads may receive recommendations aligned with that tendency.
The feature does not take route control away from the user. Alternative routes remain available, and personalization can be turned off through the app settings.
Waze is further expanding Conversational Reporting with Gemini support, allowing users to report traffic conditions through more natural voice interactions. Users can also propose map changes when they encounter a road closure or an address that is no longer accurate.
Those map proposals will be sent to local map editors for verification before being applied. Gemini-powered voice search can also find destinations such as an open coffee shop, nearby parking, or a petrol station with the lowest fuel price, although this capability is currently rolling out to the Waze beta community.
