Waze is getting a built-in car app for the first time
Waze is launching a special app on two new cars with Google built-in. It’s the first time Waze is available as a standalone app in cars, thanks to Google’s built-in Android Automotive OS. It means drivers can access Waze’s real-time routing, navigation and more, without having to plug in a smartphone.
All the usual Waze alerts, navigation and routing options will be available on dedicated displays in new Renault Austral Hybrid and Renault Megane E-Tech electric vehicles in Europe.
Waze is being built into two new Renault cars
Renault’s openR link multimedia system now includes the dedicated Waze app and the system also integrates with Google services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play, allowing you to select music or change the temperature with your voice, routes can schedule and even control your smart home devices from your car.
Renault is the first carmaker to offer Waze directly on a vehicle’s multimedia screen without the need for a smartphone, but it certainly won’t be the last. Polestar, General Motors, Chevrolet and Volvo all offer similar Google integration thanks to Android Automotive OS, and Honda will soon use the built-in Android system as well.
“Waze’s real-time navigation, routing and alerts built into the display of Renault vehicles provides a simplified and seamless driving experience,” says Aaron Di Castro, director of marketing and partnerships at Waze. “We look forward to bringing this outstanding driving experience to more users around the world in 2023.”
