A NEW telematics service being offered to customers in Japan is about to change the relationship between the driver, the car, and the mobile phone. Nissan has joined forces with NTT DoCoMo Inc.,

Japan's largest cell phone provider, to offer 'i-mode' information services delivered to drives' mobile phones using Nissan's CARWINGS telematics system. Thanks to a new system developed by the two companies, information can now also be transferred wirelessly between navigation system and cell phone using Bluetooth technology.

Nissan's existing Carwings system offers a combination of services including navigation, real-time traffic information, 24-hour live operator, hands-free phone, and provides useful information on the location of hotels, restaurants, garages and car parks. Customers of new Nissan models, beginning with the Tilda compact hatchback and later the Fuga sports saloon, will be able to access a new service called 'Okkuto-Keitai.'

This allows customers to receive 'i-mode' information services from NTT DoCoMo delivered directly to their cell phones, based on location or destination from the car navigation system, the service will provide digital mobile maps from ZENRIN Data Com and details on over 40,000 restaurants from Gourmet Navigator Inc. In the future, Nissan and NTT DoCoMo plan to offer an increased number of i-mode content services. Could this ever come to Europe? Well maybe...