Waze launches on Android Automotive…but for Renaults only

Community-based navigation app Waze will finally launch for Android Automotive in-car systems in 2023, but it’ll only be available for the newest Renault models.

Only the all-electric Renault Megane E-Tech (confirmed for Australia) and recently launched Austral crossovers use the Android Automotive-powered OpenR Link software in Europe.

This notably leaves out newer models from Polestar, Volvo and General Motors, which use the built-in Google operating system.

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It’s unclear whether this Waze-Renault alliance means it won’t be available on Android Automotive systems in other car brands as Renault’s OpenR Link is essentially a user interface skin on top of Google’s software.

Waze is distinct from Google Maps as a crowdsourced navigation platform (also owned by Google) that allows users to report road conditions to alert other drivers like mobile speed cameras, objects on the road and any stopped vehicles, while providing real-time speed limit alerts based on GPS.

When it rolls out next year, European owners can install the built-in Waze app via the Google Play Store or My Renault mobile app.

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“As more and more Waze users join us on in-car platforms and as this type of technology continues to evolve, it is important that we provide them with the best driving experiences,” Waze's director of marketing, Aron Di Castro, said.

“We look forward to bringing this all-new driving experience to as many users around the world as possible in 2023."

Android Automotive launched globally in 2018 on the Polestar 2 electric liftback offering built-in Google services like Maps, Assistant voice control and the Play Store using the vehicle’s embedded SIM card – instead of relying on a connected Android smartphone to run Android Auto.

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In 2021, the tech giant announced that app developers can share the same underlying code between built-in Android Automotive and smartphone-based Android Auto. Waze launched on the latter in 2017.

Ford, Nissan and Honda have also promised to deploy Android Automotive infotainment systems.

While the touchscreen software is Android based, it is still capable of offering Apple CarPlay smartphone projection for iPhone users.