Google Expanding Waze Ride-Sharing Service in U.S., Latin America

Google Expanding Waze in U.S. and Latin America

Screen view of the Waze traffic GPS app on an iPhone in 2015. The application gives users real-time traffic GPS service, the ability to crowd-source report on road hazards, standstill traffic, police activity, and photo traffic cameras. (Linda Davidson / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Google has been in innovation mode of late—this time in a way that could directly affect how commuters get to work in the morning.

The tech giant will be expanding its Waze ride-sharing services in the U.S. and Latin America, which is no doubt a play at Uber’s slice of the space’s market, the Wall Street Journal reports.

What sets Waze apart from its competitors is its carpooling angle; the Waze “fleet” would simply be normal drivers on the road, who would pick up people along the route where they’re already going. (Carpooling must be requested hours in advance and costs the carpoolee.)

In 2013, Waze, a community-based traffic and navigation app similar to Apple or Google Maps, was acquired by Google for just under $1 billion.

For more on the new version of Waze, watch the video below.