An Irish technology company launched a fully automated taxi location system yesterday.

The service, called WiniCabs, identifies a mobile phone caller’s location and matches them with the nearest available cab.

Wini Technologies founder and chief executive Paul O’Loughlin Kennedy developed the idea a decade ago with help from his father John O’Loughlin Kennedy, founder of Concern.

“We are thrilled that this next-generation technology, which was conceived and designed in Ireland, is now launching to Irish taxi users,” Paul O’Loughlin Kennedy said.

Purported benefits of the service include quicker collection times and improved safety features.

Once in use, the service sends the cab driver’s details to the passenger by text message, which can then be sent on to another number as a record of the trip. Owners of old and new mobiles can use the product.

Several international investors have shown interest in the technology.

“We’ve been impressed by the company and the simplicity of its revenue model,” said Tom Cusack, spokesman for Enterprise Ireland, a funder of Wini Technologies. “We’re delighted to see the product launched and the initial testing has all been positive.”

Some 400 taxis in the capital are using Wini Technologies’ equipment, with an additional 700 said to have signed up.