Vay, a German startup specializing in remote driving technology, has recently rolled out its first commercial service in Las Vegas. This innovative service allows customers to rent electric cars for short periods, with a unique twist: a “teledriver” remotely drives the car to the customer and later collects it after use. Currently, this service is operational around the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the city’s arts district, offering rentals charged by the minute.
Unlike self-driving cars, Vay’s service relies on a human driver who operates the vehicle from a remote location. Thomas von der Ohe, the CEO of Vay, shared with Reuters that the company aims to have a fleet in the “low double digits” by the end of the first quarter. The startup has successfully raised around $110 million from various investors, including Kinnevik from Sweden, Coatue, and Eurazeo from France. It has already conducted tests in Europe and the U.S., using remote drivers with no one physically behind the wheel.
Vay plans to gradually incorporate autonomous features into its service, learning from the camera technology on its vehicles. This approach is more cost-effective compared to the lidar and radar systems commonly used in autonomous vehicle development. Von der Ohe envisions a future where human-machine collaboration plays a crucial role, with autonomous driving being integrated once the technology is fully ready.
Furthermore, von der Ohe sees significant potential for remote driving functions, discussing possibilities with car manufacturers to include features like remote valet services in their vehicles. He imagines a scenario where cars equipped with teledriving capabilities could offer an on-demand tele-valet to park the car or even drive the owner home safely after a night out.
Vay’s launch in the field of autonomous and remote-controlled vehicles is timely, especially considering the challenges faced by other developers in this sector. For instance, General Motors’ Cruise unit has encountered regulatory hurdles following an incident in San Francisco. Vay’s approach offers an innovative alternative in the evolving landscape of automated and remote driving technologies.
Apple is gearing up to launch its much-anticipated mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, priced at $3,500. Set to hit the US market on February 2, this cutting-edge device promises to transform any space into a cinematic experience. The Vision Pro stands out with its ability to stream content from leading platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. Users will have the convenience of downloading and streaming their favorite TV shows, movies, and sports events. Additionally, the headset is compatible with Safari and other web browsers.
