The Israeli app Waze took the world by storm, making it easier for drivers across the world to bypass traffic and reach their destination quickly.

Now there’s Sidekix, an Israeli navigation app geared to people walking in cities. The iOS app shows walkers the best on-foot routes and orients the map as they move.

But it doesn’t necessarily show the straightest line from Point A to Point B. The free app customizes routes based on preprogrammed interests in the categories of art, culture, shopping, nightlife, and food.

If a user indicated an interest in museums, for example, Sidekix will show ones on the way to their final destination, relying on recommendations from social media, lifestyle websites, and local bloggers. If a specific destination wasn’t entered, the app will create a walking route in a city based on the user’s stated interests.

“Shopping spree, pub crawl, gallery hop? Sidekix chooses routes by what you want to see and do along the way. Get there with the only navigation app that offers walking routes based on interest, not just distance,” the website explains.

The app also allows users to share their route with their contacts so that they can meet up with friends while they walk. If a user is walking alone in unknown territory or at night, they can ask a friend to monitor their progress remotely via the app so that they can feel safer.

Currently available in more than 60 cities in the U.S., Britain, Europe, and Israel, Sidekix plans to expand into additional major cities around the globe. Four or five additional cities are introduced each month. A future Android version is planned.

Founded by Jenny Drezin, Miron Perel, and Eli Baram in Tel Aviv, Sidekix launched in 2015 and raised $1 million in investments.

Its team now includes a fulltime staff of eight, as well as freelancers and interns.

(via Israel21c)

[Photo: Sidekix: Urban Navigator / YouTube ]