Map app could nail nav

Portable navigation devices have a new enemy: an iPhone application that gives customers free directions and traffic updates at the press of a button.

French tyre maker Michelin has developed a bar code system for its European maps -- starting with France -- that could render portable navigation devices redundant. Simply use the camera on the iPhone to snap a picture of the bar code symbol of your destination and, within 10 seconds, it will guide you and give you real time traffic updates.

"Many portable devices offer directions and traffic updates, but you have to program them," says Michelin Vice President of Technical Communications, Pascal Couasnon.

"With this application, you don't even need to type anything in. Just use your iPhone to snap a picture of the barcode of your destination on the Michelin map, and you will have directions and traffic warnings within 10 seconds."

Michelin has been supplying European road maps for more than 100 years; they are widely regarded as the most accurate in the industry.

"It's not just about convenience, it's about safety," says Couasnon.

"If you can avoid high traffic areas or other accidents then this is good and perhaps you avoid an accident yourself. Of course, you should only use the application when you're stopped, or get your friend who is not driving to do it."

Michelin Australia spokesman Oliver Biggart said there were as yet no plans to introduce the bar coding to Michelin maps in Australia as the national traffic update system was still being established.

"But as the technology becomes more widely available, we'd certainly look to introduce it locally," he said.

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