SatNav Technologies has partnered with Waze Inc. of Israel which provides navigation application with map and traffic updates for Smart phones. It helps in knowing which roads are jammed and which routes to avoid. Users can update the map according to the situation they face in their routes.
The app essentially works on UGC (i.e. User Generated Content) principle and once you download the app, you can share traffic updates via the app. Based on others’ updates, the app will automatically suggest alternative traffic routes. The app doubles as a mobile social networking platform too.
As of beta testing, SatGuide- Waze app (download link) now has over 15,000 users who have logged in over 175,000 times and reported 380 accident alerts, 1400 hazard alerts, submitted 9200 traffic reports, 1460 police reports and 2900 chit chats. [Via Appnomy]
Fundamentally, I am not sure whether UGC based approach gives you the real picture of traffic, as users hardly have any incentive to share live traffic data (unless its tied to check-ins/points).
A technology based system, i.e. cell tower works much better than relying on users for traffic data (essentially Satnav+Waze is competing with FM Radio traffic updates, which are mostly stale).
Don’t you think that user gratification is an important element in UGC based services?
What’s your opinion?
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