Definition:

Waze is a collaborative navigation application designed primarily for drivers. It uses device location, map information, traffic conditions and community contributions to calculate routes, estimate arrival times and provide warnings about road incidents.

The application was created in 2009 and acquired by Google in 2013. Although it shares an owner and some functions with Google Maps, it remains a separate product with its own community, focused on road navigation and collaborative map updates.

Table of contents

1 How Waze works
2 Scope of Waze
3 Waze development

How Waze works

When a person drives with the application open, Waze can receive location and speed signals that help estimate traffic conditions. It also incorporates reports submitted by users, changes made by map editors and information from partner organisations.

Route calculation combines current and historical data, map restrictions, closures, incidents and configured preferences. If conditions change, the application may suggest an alternative route. This does not guarantee that it will always find the fastest journey because the result depends on the available information and events during the trip.

Its functions include:

Turn-by-turn navigation: It provides directions and updates the journey when the route changes.
Traffic information: It estimates congestion and speeds from the available signals.
Community reports: It allows users to report accidents, hazards, closures and other supported incidents.
Collaborative map editing: A volunteer community reviews roads, turns, restrictions and other map elements.
Route preferences: It provides options such as avoiding tolls, motorways or particular road types.
Vehicle integration: It can be used through compatible systems such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Full operation depends on an active data connection. Without a connection, the application cannot maintain current traffic information, alerts and routes. Continuous use also involves the processing of location data, whose settings should be reviewed through the device and account privacy controls.

Scope of Waze

Both products belong to Google and their functions overlap, but they have different scopes. The main differences include:

Type of journey: Waze is primarily intended for cars, motorcycles and taxis. Google Maps also provides walking, cycling and public-transport routes where available.
Community participation: Waze gives particular prominence to reports submitted while driving and to volunteer map editors. Google Maps also incorporates user content and signals, so collaboration is not exclusive to Waze.
Presentation during a journey: Waze highlights alerts, route changes and information reported by other drivers. Google Maps integrates navigation within a broader mapping service containing places, business profiles and geographical information.
Information sources: Waze does not operate solely through manual reports, and Google Maps does not rely exclusively on historical data. Both combine different sources, models and signals.

The choice depends on the mode of transport, available coverage, required functions and user preferences. Neither application can anticipate every incident or guarantee an exact arrival time.

Waze development

The development of Waze is connected with the participation of drivers, editors and organisations:

Creation: Waze was launched in 2009 as a navigation application based on information shared by its users.
Acquisition by Google: Google acquired the company in 2013 and retained Waze as a distinct product.
Map editors: Volunteers can suggest or apply changes to roads, turns, closures and other elements according to their experience and permissions.
Waze for Cities: The programme supports the exchange of certain traffic information with public administrations, transport authorities and other partners.
Gamification: Points, levels and recognition have formed part of the organisation of contributions, although particular features may change.
Mobile ecosystem: Waze is distributed as an application and uses geolocation to provide its navigation functions.

Official information about Waze describes the participation of users, editors, partners and organisations. Features and availability may vary by country, device and application version.