Google’s Waze to start carpooling pilot program in Israel

The new app, named RideWith, is now in its testing phase in Tel Aviv, Israel, which is the home city of Waze. Available Monday on Google’s Android mobile operating system, RideWith allows riders to request a lift to work or other destination.

The two companies, though, are becoming rivals in another area, as they are seemingly going to go head-to-head over the driverless auto, with Google having worked on the idea for years, and recent reports indicating that it is now looking to turn them into a fleet of taxis.

Waze was acquired by Google in 2013 for $1.1 billion. If a driver comes across a new highway or a new exit, for example, Waze will record that and check whether other drivers are using it. If they are, the map will be updated.

With RideWith, Waze is entering a carpooling market filled with major competitors. The driver and the passenger will be able to set up the ride in advance, so that the passenger will know, at least by the evening before, that the next morning he will not need his own auto or public transportation. Following the pilot program, adjustments will be made and the app will then be released to other cities around the globe. The only limitation is that to test the service you have to live in Tel Aviv, Israel. That includes limiting the number of rides to two a day and reimbursing drivers only for the cost of gas and the wear and tear on vehicles.

Google became an Internet giant by reinventing how we get around the Web.

Optimizing drive time: By knowing when and how people are specifically commuting to work, Waze could theoretically help drivers optimize their timing.

Of course this isn’t free and to some extent it does sound a bit like Uber.

Carpooling services, in theory, are slightly different. Google, meanwhile, will take a cut of the payment, with the percentage still yet to be determined.

The ruling did little to assuage interest in carpooling. That being said, the company will be expanding its offerings as it has recently announced RideWith, a carpooling service. The investment round included Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson.

” “Waze it” has replaced “Google it” as a shorthand for getting driving instructions”.