Waze launches AI motorcycle mode: Germany still has to wait

• New motorcycle mode with dedicated routes, more accurate arrival times and warnings about potholes, speed bumps and narrow bridges
• Launch in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines, with more countries to follow
• Part of a larger update with four additional features, several of them powered by Google’s Gemini AI

Navigation service Waze is getting a whole range of new features. At the center is a mode designed specifically for motorcyclists. It is meant to find routes suited to two-wheelers and warn in good time about difficult spots along the way. The package was announced on July 13, 2026 by Gai Berkovich, Vice President and General Manager of Waze. Like Google Maps, the service belongs to Google.

What is Waze’s new motorcycle mode?

The motorcycle mode is a dedicated setting that calculates routes and arrival times specifically for motorcycles. According to Waze, motorcycles need different routes than cars because they can use narrower roads and are more sensitive to road surface conditions. The mode relies on artificial intelligence for this and takes into account shortcuts and restrictions that apply only to two-wheelers. This way, riders are meant to get the right route and a more accurate estimated arrival time. Berkovich describes the goal of the update like this: “We’re also evolving Waze from a helpful companion into an intelligent partner with new Gemini capabilities.”

What hazards does the motorcycle mode warn about?

The mode specifically flags hazards that can be tricky for motorcyclists. These include potholes, speed bumps, raised pedestrian crossings, ending shoulders and narrow bridges. Such obstacles are often more critical on two wheels than in a car, because a motorcycle reacts more directly to the road surface. According to Waze, these alerts are based on the service’s real-time traffic data. In addition, a dedicated group of map editors for motorcycles continuously adds new hazard spots to the map. So the artificial intelligence alone does not generate the warnings, people are still behind the data.

Which countries is the Waze motorcycle mode launching in?

The motorcycle mode is launching first in seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines. It is available there on Android and iOS. Waze notes that more countries are set to follow, though no timeline has been given yet. Notably, no European country is part of this first group. For motorcyclists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, that means they will not be able to use the mode for now. The launch countries were chosen from regions with particularly high numbers of two-wheeler riders.

Personalized navigation based on past trips

Besides the motorcycle mode, the update brings personalized navigation. Waze suggests routes that match a user’s past trips, combining this with its local knowledge of traffic in a city. Anyone who prefers taking the highway over smaller roads with lots of stops, for example, will see such routes prioritized. The feature can be adjusted in the settings or turned off entirely. According to Waze, this kind of personalized route selection is not found in this form on either Google Maps or Apple Maps. Personalized navigation is being rolled out worldwide on Android and iOS starting now.

What does the “Less Chatty” mode offer?

The “Less Chatty” mode reduces the number of voice announcements and keeps them shorter. It is aimed at anyone listening to music or a podcast while riding who does not want to be interrupted constantly. Important alerts are still given, such as hazards, turns and lane changes, they just come up less often. This feature is also available worldwide on Android and iOS starting now.

What is changing for reporting and destination search?

Two more features rely on Google’s Gemini AI and concern reporting and search. The conversational reporting feature has been around since testing began in October 2024, mainly for traffic reports like congestion. Now it can also be used to suggest map changes, such as a closed road or an outdated address. A sentence like “The road is closed here” is enough, Waze then forwards the information to local map editors, who review the report and update the map. There is also a voice-based destination search: using the voice icon, riders can ask questions like where to find an open cafe, a parking spot near a certain location, or a cheap gas station. Waze then provides a list of suggestions that can be navigated to directly by voice. The conversational reporting feature is launching worldwide, while the Gemini-powered destination search is initially available only to Waze’s beta community.

How should this update be assessed?

The update shows just how strongly Google is bringing its Gemini AI into its own navigation apps. Google Maps is also increasingly relying on this technology. The motorcycle mode fits into a broader trend in which voice and AI features are increasingly becoming standard equipment for navigation services. However, parts of the trade press view the update critically as well. One point of criticism is that many navigation apps still have not solved basic problems, such as cases where drivers are directed in the wrong direction or onto unsuitable routes. Whether the AI-powered motorcycle mode works reliably in practice remains to be seen. There is currently no everyday experience to draw on for an assessment, especially since the mode is not yet available in Europe.

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