A Berlin-based startup, Vay, is making significant strides in the autonomous vehicle industry by expanding its driverless car-sharing service in Las Vegas. Since January 2024, Vay has been operating a fleet of modified Kia e-Niro vehicles in select areas of Las Vegas. Customers can summon these vehicles via an app, which arrive without a human driver. Once inside, users take manual control to reach their destination. Post-use, the vehicles are remotely piloted back to base. During CES 2025, Vay announced plans to scale up its operations and increase its fleet to 100 vehicles. Additionally, the company secured a production facility to meet rising demand, marking a pivotal moment for Vay's growth and expansion into business-to-business services.

Pioneering Autonomous Car-Sharing in Las Vegas

Vay's innovative approach to car-sharing has introduced a new era of mobility in Las Vegas. By deploying teleoperations technology, Vay allows remote operators to pilot empty vehicles directly to customers. This unique system ensures that users can access a vehicle on-demand without waiting for a human driver. The process begins when a customer opens the Vay app and requests a ride. Shortly after, an autonomous Kia e-Niro arrives at the specified location. Upon arrival, the user assumes control and drives themselves to their desired destination. After completing the trip, the vehicle is remotely navigated back to its starting point, ready for the next user.

The implementation of this cutting-edge technology has already seen over 6,000 trips completed throughout central Las Vegas. This remarkable achievement highlights the growing acceptance and reliability of autonomous vehicles in urban environments. Vay's co-founder and CEO, Thomas Von der Ohe, emphasized that this milestone represents a significant leap forward in the company’s mission to revolutionize transportation. The success in Las Vegas serves as a blueprint for future expansions and showcases the potential of autonomous driving technology to enhance urban mobility solutions.

Scaling Up and Diversifying Operations

Vay's rapid growth and expansion plans were unveiled during CES 2025, signaling a new chapter in the company's development. With a €34 million investment from the European Investment Bank last year, Vay has secured the necessary resources to expand its fleet and operational capabilities. The company aims to increase its vehicle count to 100 units in Las Vegas, significantly enhancing its service coverage and availability. Moreover, Vay has established a dedicated production facility to streamline the assembly of its Kia e-Niro fleet, ensuring timely delivery and maintenance of vehicles.

Beyond consumer services, Vay is venturing into business-to-business (B2B) operations. The company is actively recruiting remote drivers to operate not only cars but also trucks and vans for commercial clients. This expansion into B2B services underscores Vay's commitment to providing comprehensive remote driving solutions across various sectors. While specific details about the vehicles used for commercial B2B services remain undisclosed, the move demonstrates Vay's ambition to become a leading provider of autonomous and remote driving technologies. As Vay continues to grow, it sets its sights on transforming the logistics and transportation industries with its innovative offerings.