Waze adds AI voice reporting and Sonic the Hedgehog as your new co-pilot 🚗💨

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After months of anticipation, Waze is finally rolling out a pair of fresh updates: voice-based incident reporting and, for a limited time, navigation guided by Sonic the Hedgehog himself. These two features promise to shake up your daily commute and bring a playful twist to the driving experience.

Talk, report, drive: Waze is listening 🎙️

Goodbye to endless menus and risky taps while driving — Waze has just introduced Voice Reporting, powered by Google’s Gemini AI. Simply press the mic button, describe what’s happening (“traffic jam ahead,” “debris on the road”), and let the assistant handle the rest. It may even ask a quick follow-up to make your report more precise.

The goal: make reporting faster and safer, so drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

The feature is rolling out gradually, so not everyone will see it right away. Early testers have spotted a few rough edges — like overactive notifications and brief audio interruptions — but the overall direction is promising: a smarter, more natural way to keep the community informed.

Sonic, your new co-pilot on the road 🦔

In a surprise collab, SEGA and Waze are teaming up to bring Sonic’s iconic voice to your dashboard — available in both English and French for a limited time. Once you update the app, just tap the Sonic banner to activate his voice and enjoy motivational quips like “Let’s roll!” and “Keep your eyes on the road!”

That’s not all. Waze is adding a “Energetic” mood inspired by Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and even lets you switch your car icon to the Speedster Lightning — a nostalgic nod to the franchise that turns every drive into a mini-adventure.

A few glitches, but a real leap forward 🔧

As with any new feature, there are a few hiccups: inconsistent CarPlay and Android Auto support, music interruptions, and overly chatty notifications. Still, Waze says it’s fine-tuning the rollout and listening to user feedback — showing once again why it remains the most community-driven navigation app out there.

A livelier, more playful way to move 🚦

Between AI-powered reporting and a blue blur as your co-pilot, Waze is doubling down on what makes it unique: practical innovation with a dose of fun. The big question now — will these updates live up to the hype? And what other voice collaborations might we see next?

🎤 So, what do you think — does Sonic (or any custom voice) change the way you use Waze? Share your experience in the comments!