LYMINGTON marine navigation company Yeoman has unveiled its first satellite navigation service for cars, which uses a conventional mobile phone.

It claims its VoxNav system is the first service in the world that enables drivers to access route planning, traffic information and "turn-by-turn" by voice through mobile phones.

Yeoman Group's chief executive Hugh Agnew said: "We have developed a leading technology to deliver dynamic route and traffic information direct to road users via a conventional mobile phone. We believe that there is a huge market for our service for business users and consumers.''The launch of VoxNav will enable Yeoman to capitalise on the latent demand for mobile navigation that is not currently being satisfied. Research revealed that more than 40 per cent of business drivers wanted directions during a journey, and more than 60 per cent wanted traffic information and estimated time of arrival. The VoxNav provides each of these information services and also integrates directions and traffic information to optimise route planning. "The response from pilot trials has been very positive. "For too long people have been wasting time being lost or stuck in traffic and this service will help make our roads more efficient. Most of our pilot users were so impressed by the system that they would recommend it to a colleague or friend.''

Yeoman's business has been in the nautical navigation industry since the 1980's.