Forget what you think you know about video games. For years, some people have worried about them being addictive. But a German company just might have found the ultimate dream job for “gamers.” Soon, when you rent a car, a remote operator could deliver it right to you.
Self-driving cars have moved quickly in the United States. Companies like Waymo already carry passengers in many cities. This kind of service still feels like something out of a science fiction movie in Europe. But one startup, Vay, is ready to change that perception.
Vay started in Berlin in 2018. This remote driving tech company wants to shake up how people get around European cities. The name even sounds like “way” to many German speakers. After testing its service in Las Vegas, where laws were ready, Vay plans to launch in Germany soon.
Here is how it works. You use the Vay app to ask for a car. A remote driver, or “gamer,” brings the car to you. You drive it wherever you need to go. When you reach your stop, you just end the rental. The remote driver handles the tricky part: finding a parking spot.
The company says users will pay by the minute for an electric car. This cost will be about half of what current car-sharing services charge. This could make it a very attractive option for city dwellers.
Germany Opens the Road for Vay’s Solution
According to The Guardian, Germany’s parliament passed a new law. This law allows remote-controlled vehicles to operate commercially in special approved zones. Qualified drivers will be able to control these vehicles starting December 1. This move cleared the way for Vay’s plans.
Thomas von der Ohe is Vay’s CEO and co-founder. He shared his big goal: to make owning a private car old news. He hopes to make cities greener and convince people not to buy a second car, or even a first one.
Beyond engineers, Vay’s most important asset is its drivers. Many of these “gamers” used to drive for Uber or regular taxi companies. Von der Ohe noted that Vay specifically hires women who have faced scary attacks in previous driving jobs. They also bring in heavy transport drivers tired of long trips away from family.
These remote operators see this as a job for the future. “They get bathroom breaks and lunch breaks,” Thomas von der Ohe explained. “They work as a team instead of being alone.” He added that these operators earn an hourly wage, not per ride.
Driving from Home
Bartek Sztendel, a driver from Poland, logged hundreds of miles over several weeks. He did this to qualify as a remote driver. He told The Guardian that people with gaming experience learned the basic skills faster. Yet, being calm and having a strong sense of safety mattered even more.
Soon, likely by December, Bartek and other remote drivers will operate cars from home. They will press pedals and turn a steering wheel. Three large screens show them what’s happening outside the car. Four small cameras on the car’s roof send these views. With headphones, they hear sounds from inside and outside. Sensors even let them feel bumps in the road. It’s truly a new kind of commute.