whatWho has not ever used Waze to get to a certain destination, to get us out of where we were lost, or simply to see how the traffic is?
Undoubtedly, this application came to solve the problems of millions of drivers when they don’t know how to get from point A to B, or to find the best possible route and save time.
This startup was founded in 2008 and in 2013 it already had 50 million users worldwide. And, it was so great was this innovation that Google bought it for a billion dollars.
Have you ever wondered who created Waze? How did they come up with the idea? And, above all, how does it work? Here we tell you the story of this startup that was born out of frustration.
What is Waze?
Waze is a navigation and maps application for mobile devices. It is based on real-time information provided by its users to provide up-to-date traffic information., accidents, works and other obstacles on the road. In addition, it offers alternative routes and suggestions to avoid traffic and reach your destination more efficiently. Waze also offers additional features, such as search for nearby gas stations and parking lotsas well as the possibility of sending alerts to other users about events on the road.
How does it work?
Waze works by combining real-time information provided by its users with GPS technology to provide up-to-date traffic information and alternative routes. When a user opens the app while driving, Waze collects information about the speed and location of your vehicle, as well as other nearby Waze users, and uses this information to create a real-time map of traffic. If a user reports an accident, road construction or obstacle, this information is shared with other Waze users in real time so they can avoid that area. The app also uses traffic information to calculate the most efficient route and suggest an alternate route if necessary.
Who created Waze?
Waze was created by a group of Israeli businessmen, Uri Levine, Amir Shinar, and Ehud Shabtai, in 2006. It was later acquired by Google in 2013.
Who is Uri Levine?
Uri Levine is an Israeli businessman and entrepreneur. He is known as one of the co-founders of the Waze navigation app. Since then, he has been involved in various technology projects and software companies.
How did Uri Levine come to create Waze?
The idea for Waze is said to have come from Uri Levine’s frustration with traffic problems on his daily commute. He and the Waze co-founders wanted to create a solution to help drivers avoid traffic. and find more efficient routes. Therefore, they developed an application that combines GPS with real-time information from users to provide traffic information and recommend alternative routes.
Uri Levine said in an interview that all the startups he has created were born out of frustration. “I hate traffic jams in all their forms. There was a weekend that we were in the north of Israel and it was time to go home. We were like 10 families there and we were the last to leave and I started calling all my friends who had already left, trying to figure out the best route to get back. Then I realized that this was like my ‘Eureka! All I need is someone ahead of me on the road to tell me what’s going on‘. That was in 2006.
Uri Levine also recounted that once he asked his son to take him to the airport, he answered that his phone was not working, the father said that he would show him the way, but the son wondered:And how will I know the way back? There the father realized how useful his innovation would be for people.
The rest is history, Levine sold Waze to Google in 2013 and went on to start other ventures, lecture and write books; the last of these accounts for the mentality to create an app as useful as Waze: “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution“.
Note: This article was made with the help of ChatGPT’s artificial intelligence and reviewed and edited by a human.
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