Rental Cars in Germany Will Soon Be Delivered Remotely by 'Gamers' | Carscoops

      Vay delivers its vehicles using remote drivers situated behind triple-screen gaming setups

      20 hours ago

      by Chris Chilton

      A German company is set to disrupt the car rental industry in Europe.

      Vay will transport cars with drivers operating them from a distant office.

      Although fully autonomous cars, like those from Waymo in the US, remain illegal in Europe,

      Millions of individuals rent cars annually, but for those not residing near city centers or airports, accessing one can be challenging, and having one delivered to your home can be pricey. Now, a German company believes it can simplify the entire rental experience by employing remote drivers to bring rental cars to your location and retrieve them once you're finished.

      More: Renting Rivian’s Pool Feels Like An $80K Kiddie Pool of Stranger Backwash

      The company is Vay, which humorously refers to how Germans pronounce the word "way," and it intends to introduce its remote rental service in Berlin following a recent legislative change in the country. While fully autonomous taxis like those operated by Waymo in the US are still prohibited in Europe, the German parliament approved earlier this summer the use of remotely driven vehicles in designated areas by properly trained drivers beginning this December.

      An Unconventional Test Drive

      Founder Thomas von der Oh has been experimenting with his technology using specially modified Kia Niros in Las Vegas, where driverless taxis are permitted, according to The Guardian. He believes Vay could revolutionize the rental market, encouraging drivers to utilize rentals instead of purchasing a second car, or perhaps even a first.

      The rental cars largely resemble standard last-generation Kia e-Niros, except for some minor extra monitoring equipment affixed to the roof's front and rear, as well as the sides. The interiors are also nearly standard, meaning renters won’t face a complicated adjustment period when getting behind the wheel.

      Operating from Behind a Screen

      Vay

      Delivering the car to the renter is the responsibility of a driver stationed in an office that resembles a gaming setup, equipped with a triple-screen display common among sim-racing enthusiasts. Nearby, several other rigs for controlling additional vehicles are available, each fitted with a large red button to the left of the steering wheel for quickly shutting off and stopping the car in case of any issues. Once the driver finishes dropping off one vehicle, they 'teleport' into another car and continue the process.

      Who Becomes a Driver?

      Drivers must complete numerous test miles before becoming qualified, and while gaming experience may be advantageous, it is not mandatory. Furthermore, as per Vay’s website, the cars seem to be limited to 25 mph (40 km/h), making it less appealing for high-speed racing enthusiasts.

      However, it could be an excellent opportunity for current taxi drivers who have faced violence on the job, unhappy Uber drivers, or truck drivers seeking to spend more time with their families.

      “People view this as a job of the future. They receive bathroom and lunch breaks and get to work as part of a team rather than individually,” von der Ohe told The Guardian.

      Vay states that its fleet in Las Vegas will grow to 100 vehicles by the end of 2025, and it has already initiated a service at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium as it plans to venture onto public roads in Germany next year.