Waze , launched in an Android-only private alpha today, is attempting to build the first user-generated dynamic map of the United States.
Starting in San Francisco, Boston and Chicago today, T-Mobile G1 users can download the Android application and begin contributing to the project. Akin to the crowdsourced Open Street Map project, Waze picks up GPS points as you drive and automatically and anonymously submits them to the dynamically-generated map of each city. With one click, you’re also able to report road problems such as traffic jams and fix map inaccuracies on the fly. Over time Waze will hopefully become a comprehensive, ‘live’ map of the United States, augmented by driving directions, road changes, speed trap locations and real-time traffic information. As more data is collected, included speed limits, Waze will be able to become predictive and find the best driving route for you based on historical data. You’ll also be able to contribute larger amounts of map information through the Waze website.
Waze, which will open in public beta in a few months for the iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile, has already had substantial success in Israel. Over 80, 000 drivers currently use the map and it is the most popular navigation application in the country. As an example of its success, Waze claims “real-time traffic information reached approximately 90 percent coverage 
and over 85 percent ‘estimated time of arrival’ accuracy” within less than a year.
However, the United States will be a much tougher market to conquer. Google Maps has huge mindshare in the US even though it’s in no way dynamic. And PND makers like TomTom and Garmin offer real-time traffic information. But key to Waze’s business model is that it is free for consumers to use unlike established competitors. After all, it’s being built by them. And as Open Street Map has demonstrated, when consumers and companies don’t have to license mapping data, they’ll be more than happy to contribute new stuff to the overall map. Just look at the huge data sets a variety of African-based non-profits have contributed to OSM in recent months.
Like all LBS applications though, mass adoption will be required for Waze to succeed, especially given its user-generated model. And in the case of iPhone users, background processing will be a definite requirement for Waze to be of any use. I think for now the choice of a soft launch in three cities is smart. It gives Waze a chance to really focus on areas where adoption will be likely and spread out from there. And with a cost structure that doesn’t amount to much, Waze should be able to move quickly once in public beta.
The company also plans to open a variety of APIs to developers which is a great idea. If Waze can pull this off, it could become a platform for all kinds of real-time navigation applications. And for end consumers it’ll be a boon because it’ll all be free.
T-Mobile G1 owners can apply here to be part of the private alpha program if located in the cities mentioned above.
