Vay Raises €34M to Bring Remote-Operated Vehicles to Europe
German startup Vay, specializing in remote-controlled "teledriving" technology, has raised €34 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to expand its services in Europe. After a successful launch of remote-controlled car operations in Las Vegas, Vay conducted safety driver-free tests in Hamburg and has collaborated with local authorities to bring its commercial service to Germany.
When a customer orders a vehicle via the Vay app, an electric car arrives with no one inside — it’s remotely piloted by a teledriver. The customer then drives the car to their destination, after which the remote operator takes over once more. This method is seen as a more profitable and practical solution than traditional car-sharing, potentially doubling vehicle usage time.
With teledriving, operators can remotely control vehicles from stations equipped with a steering setup and multiple monitors, offering a viable alternative to full autonomy, which has faced significant development challenges.