Poppy Mobility, a leading car-sharing and rental service in Belgium, is pioneering the introduction of remote-driving technology to revolutionize vehicle delivery. In a groundbreaking collaboration with Ush, a Belgian developer specializing in autonomous and remote-controlled vehicle solutions, Poppy is set to launch the country’s first test operations around the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
This innovative initiative will allow Poppy users to request a rental car via the company’s mobile app, after which Ush’s remote drivers will navigate the vehicle to their location in real-time. Once the car arrives, users can choose to drive it themselves or continue their journey with a remote driver controlling the vehicle from a teledrive station at Ush’s headquarters.
A Step Towards Full Commercial Rollout
Poppy Mobility envisions a full-scale commercial launch of this remote-driven car rental service in Antwerp by 2026. The success of the pilot program will determine the feasibility of expanding to other cities, potentially transforming urban mobility in Belgium.
This project is backed by German technology firm Vay, a leader in automotive-grade remote-driving technology. Vay has already established itself as a key player in the industry by successfully operating a commercial service in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company has achieved a significant milestone, completing over 6,000 trips, and is set to expand its fleet to 100 remote-driven vehicles in Las Vegas by 2025.
Exclusive Partnership Between Ush and Vay
To further enhance its technological capabilities, Ush has secured an exclusive partnership with Vay. This collaboration will allow Ush to develop and commercialize Vay’s cutting-edge remote-driving technology in Belgium. By integrating Vay’s expertise with Ush’s local market knowledge, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of remote-driven vehicle services in Europe.
Max Levandowski, CEO of Ush, emphasized the importance of a phased approach to integrating remote-driving technology into Belgium’s transportation landscape. He stated, “Bringing remote-driving technology to Belgium requires careful coordination with regulators. We have chosen to start with a manageable scale—deploying two vehicles to serve key locations in the port—to ensure safety and efficiency before expanding further.”
European Mobility Innovation Gains Momentum
Vay’s CEO and co-founder, Thomas von der Ohe, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and its potential impact on the future of mobility in Europe. “I moved back to Europe from Silicon Valley to leverage the continent’s world-leading automotive engineering expertise. With this partnership between Ush and Poppy, we are witnessing our vision for the future of mobility come to life. This marks the first time remotely driven vehicles are entering European roads as part of a commercial service. With the support of regulators, we hope this will be the first of many exciting remote-drive-enabled projects across Europe.”
As the demand for flexible and innovative mobility solutions continues to rise, Poppy Mobility’s remote-driven rental service is set to redefine convenience and accessibility for urban commuters. If successful, this initiative could pave the way for broader adoption of remote-driving technology across Belgium and beyond.
