Europe’s pioneering teledriving service, Vay, is set to make its debut in the United States, with plans to establish its headquarters in Las Vegas. The German-based company has adopted a remote-first approach to driverless vehicles, relying on operators to remotely drive electric vehicles (EVs) from a dedicated hub. While Vay aims to gradually introduce autonomous driving capabilities as they become safer and legally permissible, its current focus lies on teledrivers transporting rental EVs to customers, who can then drive the vehicles and return them to base with the assistance of Vay’s remote driving technology.
In Las Vegas, Vay will face competition from Halo.Car, a company that operates on a similar concept. Halo.Car has already provided rideshare mobility services in the city using the remote driving model, making Las Vegas an ideal location for Vay’s US expansion.
Vay’s expansion into the US follows its successful operation of a vehicle on European public roads without a driver earlier this year in Hamburg. The company intends to obtain further certifications to operate driverless vehicles in Europe. Leading the US entity will be general manager Caleb Varner, who joined Vay in 2022 after holding a prominent position at Uber. Varner is enthusiastic about Vay’s technology and innovative approach, recognizing the potential to revolutionize transportation and reduce personal car ownership.
Collaborating closely with Vay’s co-founder and CEO, Thomas von der Ohe, Varner will spearhead the implementation of Vay’s teledriving technology in the US market. Vay’s initial focus in Las Vegas will be on remote deliveries of rental EVs, necessitating the acquisition of permits and certifications. Fortunately, Vay has gained support from the International Innovation Center in Las Vegas, located in the downtown Arts District. This partnership not only ensures a smooth launch but also contributes to the city’s economic development.
