The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has entered phase one of a programme which should see the full scale deployment of remote-driven rental cars by the end of this year.
The programme represents a collaboration between Ush, a pioneer in autonomous vehicle solutions, and Poppy Mobility, one of the Belgium’s leading car sharing and rental companies.
Also involved are Vay, whose technology for remote-driving is currently in use in Las Vegas. In that scheme, users can request an electric vehicle to be remotely delivered to them via the Vay app. When the trip is complete the user exits the car and a remote driver takes over, eliminating the need to find a parking space.
This is the basis of the scheme which will be operated at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Users will be able to request a rental vehicle via the Poppy app, which Ush will drive remotely to their location in real-time. They can then take the wheel themselves should they wish, or be driven by a remote driver operating from a teledrive station at Ush’s headquarters.
For the first phase, which began yesterday, two remote driven vehicles will be used by a maritime services company called Boluda whose employees working in remote areas of the port can request a rental car in real-time. The vehicle will be remotely delivered to them, allowing them to drive to their destination. Once they’re finished, control of the car will be returned to the remote driver, who will navigate it to the next user.
For this phase, a safety driver will be in the vehicle, monitoring the first rides.
In phase two the scheme will expand across the port and the final phase, expected to be the end of this year, will see a full deployment across the entire port, without route restrictions and without an onboard safety driver.
Poppy are hoping for a full commercial roll out in the city of Antwerp starting in 2026.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said : ‘With the introduction of remote-driving technology in Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the port confirms its role as a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies. It has already served as a launch pad for autonomous shipping and autonomous drones, both of which are now scaling rapidly – demonstrating how the port accelerates innovation.
‘The testing of this remote-driving technology follows the same trajectory, reinforcing the port’s position as a key innovation hub where technologies are tested, validated, and fast-tracked for commercial deployment. With the federal and Flemish governments’ ambition to develop low-regulation test zones where new technologies can prove their reliability and potential, the port can further strengthen this position.’