Enterprise Ireland-supported technology start-up WINI Technologies has launched WINIcabs, a fully automated taxi dispatch system for mobile devices.
Using a patented transceiver, WINIcabs matches callers looking for a taxi with the nearest taxi to them. WINIcabs identifies the caller's location and then connects their phone call to the mobile handset (regular or smartphone) of the nearest available WINIcab driver. Four hundred Dublin taxis are using WINI's technology in their cabs, with another 700 signed up to be equipped.
Winner of the Aepona/Neustar Developer Challenge at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona WINI (What I Need When I Need IT) was conceived 10 years ago by Paul O'Loughlin Kennedy and his father John (founder of charity Concern). Significant interest from around the world has resulted and the company is in discussions with customers in Canada, USA, Brazil, and the Middle East.
For the moment the WINIcabs service is operational on the Vodafone network only, with other networks expected to carry the service shortly.
Paul O'Loughlin Kennedy, founder and CEO, WINIcabs (pictured), said: "We are thrilled that this next-generation technology which was conceived and designed in Ireland is now launching to Irish taxi users.
"The next-generation mobile technology used by WINIcabs provides those looking for a cab with a much faster and safer service. Using existing mobile technology, callers are automatically matched with the nearest cab to them."
TechCentral Reporters