Google Maps has started integrating incident reports from Waze, allowing users to confirm these reports while navigating. This feature is part of a redesigned incident reporting system across Android, iOS, Android Auto, CarPlay, and Android Automotive. The integration began rolling out in mid-September, following an announcement in late July.
Key Features
- Incident Reporting UI: The new UI shows reports from both Maps and Waze communities, with clear attribution to the source app.
- Initial Rollout: The feature started with police alerts and will expand to include more data types from Waze.
- User Interaction: Users receive prompts like “Police reported ahead” with options to confirm the report's accuracy.
Data Sharing and Attribution
- Bi-Directional Data Exchange: The integration is facilitated by a partnership with Geo, aiming to provide comprehensive map data through mutual data sharing.
- User Base: Google Maps has over 2 billion monthly active users, while Waze has 151 million, both managed by Google's Geo team.
Future Enhancements
- Conversational Reporting: Waze is testing new features like “Conversational Reporting” to enhance crowdsourced mapping conditions.
This integration enriches both Google Maps and Waze by leveraging their respective strengths and extensive user bases.
