Teledriving: How Vay is creating a new profession with innovative mobility| Berlin TXL – Urban Tech Republic

New technologies are constantly being tested at the Zukunftsort locations Berlin TXL | Urban Tech Republic. Vay, a Berlin-based technology company, is using the Zukunftsort locations as a testing ground to bring remote-controlled driving to the streets and redefine mobility. The innovative concept of “teledriving” is creating a completely new line of work.

Photo: Vay

Teledriver as a new professional group

Vay makes it possible for professionally trained teledrivers to drive vehicles remotely. From specially equipped teledrive stations with controls such as steering wheels and pedals that meet automotive industry standards, they steer vehicles safely through traffic. At the beginning of 2023, Vay became the first and only company in Europe to operate driverless vehicles on public roads. The following year, Vay also began offering its technology internationally: The company launched its first commercial teledriving service in Las Vegas.

Photo: Vay

Efficient door-to-door mobility

Vay’s technology offers users a convenient alternative to conventional mobility solutions: Teledrivers initially steer the vehicle remotely to the customer, who then takes the wheel themselves and completes the journey as they would with a normal car. After getting out, there is no need to worry about parking, as the teledrivers either park the vehicle independently or drive it directly to the next customer. This enables efficient door-to-door mobility, which according to Vay is around half the cost of a conventional ride-hailing service.

The human remains in control (remotely)

In contrast to fully autonomous vehicles, which often face significant technical and legal hurdles, teledriving offers the advantage of human control in real time. This makes the system more flexible and easier to operate and opens up a wide range of new mobility options.

Photo: Vay

Founded in 2018 by Thomas von der Ohe, Fabrizio Scelsi and Bogdan Djukic in Berlin, Vay now employs over 150 people and has offices in Berlin, Hamburg and Las Vegas. Vay pursues the vision of making cities safer, more sustainable and more livable by optimizing the utilization of its electric vehicle fleet and thus helping to reduce the number of vehicles in urban areas.