14 DAY TRIAL // Google’s Waze traffic and navigation app will soon get a new feature that will allow drivers to request emergency roadside assistance either from a company offering such services or straight from other motorists using the app.
The feature will be launched in Europe following a partnership between parent company Waze and Allianz, which will provide drivers with fast assistance when requested through a dedicated button within the app.
This means that whenever you’re seeking help in the event of a car issue, you can simply use Waze to get in touch with Allianz no matter the location. Allianz should be capable of locating you precisely and provide emergency assistance based on information collected from Waze.
Seeking help from other drivers
But in addition to reaching out to Allianz, the new SOS feature will also allow users to request help from other drivers in the area. While no specifics were provided as to how this would work, users calling for assistance will most likely be marked with a dedicated icon on the map, just like in the case of any other Waze report, and other people driving in the area would be provided with a notification in this regard.
This will most likely work in the same way as police reports, with notifications showing up at the top of the screen to let drivers know someone ahead is asking for help.
A report from CityAM indicates that the feature will be rolled out to eight different European countries at first, including the United Kingdom, but it’ll most likely be expanded to all users across the world in the coming months as well.
No specifics were provided as to when we should expect the update, but further information will probably follow when the feature becomes available for the first users. SOS assistance will land on both Android and iOS.