Designated Driver
Designated Driver builds teleoperation software and hardware kits that let remote human operators take control of autonomous vehicles when onboard systems cannot resolve a situation. It sells to AV developers, transportation companies, and university research programs, with deployments including Texas A&M autonomous shuttles.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Designated Driver does
Designated Driver (legal entity DesignatedDriver.ai) is a privately-held Portland, Oregon-based company founded in 2018 that builds teleoperation technology for autonomous vehicles. The company's core platform enables a remote human operator to take real-time control of an autonomous vehicle when the onboard autonomy encounters situations it cannot resolve, such as intersections, construction zones, severe weather, or sensor malfunctions. The platform operates in two modes: Remote Driving, in which the teleoperator fully assumes vehicle control using onboard cameras and sensors, and Remote Assistance, in which the AV's autonomy remains active while the operator provides guidance, waypoints, or intersection-authorization signals. The product portfolio includes a Driver Station hardware/software kit for the remote operator, a componentized In-Vehicle hardware/software kit, a managed Teleoperation as a Service offering that supplies trained and certified remote drivers, and professional integration services. The in-vehicle kit is designed to deploy as either a standalone white-labelled remote-control unit or fully integrated with existing cameras, sensors, and control units, supporting an OEM/embedded go-to-market in addition to direct enterprise sales.
The company sells to autonomous vehicle developers, transportation companies deploying AVs, and university research programs operating autonomous shuttles. Revenue is generated through three streams: subscription/recurring revenue from Teleoperation as a Service, one-time hardware sales of the Driver Station and In-Vehicle kits, and professional services for integration and customization; all pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Designated Driver's go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with event-driven demand generation (notably the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed demonstration with Samsung and Vodafone) and partnership-led distribution through AutonomouStuff's Open Autonomy Pilot Program. Its most significant commercial milestone is the August 2019 deployment with Texas A&M University, described as the first commercial teleoperation system on public roads. The company has 1-10 employees and operates from a single headquarters location in Portland with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or ownership structure.
Designated Driver firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Designated Driver
- Legal name
- DesignatedDriver.ai
- Website
- https://designateddriver.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Designated Driver builds teleoperation software and hardware kits that let remote human operators take control of autonomous vehicles when onboard systems cannot resolve a situation. It sells to AV developers, transportation companies, and university research programs, with deployments including Texas A&M autonomous shuttles.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Designated Driver industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Vehicle Teleoperation Software
- NAICS
- Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomous Vehicles & Ground Mobility (HDAAAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomous Driving & ADAS Perception (HDAAAEAI), Video Telematics, ADAS & AI Dashcams (TLAEAFAG)
Keywords
Where Designated Driver is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Designated Driver business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Teleoperation as a Service: Primarily for development fleets and trained, certified remote drivers, includes in-vehicle teleoperation software. Subscription or usage-based model for ongoing teleoperation services.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of Driver Station hardware/software kits and in-vehicle hardware/software kits for customers integrating teleoperation technology into their vehicles.
- Integration Services: Professional services for integrating kits into vehicles and customizing software to customer needs.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Designated Driver product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Designated Driver provides a teleoperation platform that enables remote human control and assistance for autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles. Its core offerings include a Remote Driving mode (full operator control), a Remote Assistance mode (operator guidance while autonomy remains active), a Control Station hardware/software kit for remote operators, an In-Vehicle hardware/software kit that integrates with vehicle cameras, sensors, and control units, and a Teleoperation as a Service managed offering staffed by trained, certified remote drivers. The platform can be deployed as a standalone white-labelled solution or fully embedded into existing autonomy stacks.
Product overview
Designated Driver offers a teleoperation platform that enables human operators to remotely control autonomous vehicles. The core offering consists of two teleoperation models: Remote Driving (where the operator takes full control) and Remote Assistance (where the operator guides the vehicle's autonomous system). These are delivered through a modular product portfolio including Control Station hardware/software kit for the remote operator, In-Vehicle hardware/software kit for vehicle installation, Teleoperation as a Service for managed fleet operations, and Integration Services for customization. The platform can function as a standalone white-labelled remote vehicle control unit or integrate with existing on-board cameras, sensors, and control units, with optional fleet management integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Remote Driving Model Teleoperation mode in which a remote operator fully takes control of an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle using its cameras and sensors to maneuver through difficult situations such as obstructions, challenging road conditions, or sensor malfunctions.
- Remote Assistance Model Teleoperation mode where the autonomous system remains functional and a remote operator provides guidance and waypoints to help the vehicle safely navigate scenarios such as intersections and stops that the AV cannot resolve on its own.
- Driver Station Hardware and Software Kit Complete hardware and software kit for the remote operator station providing seamless control of autonomous vehicles, including off-the-shelf components for the teleoperator experience, passenger comfort, and AV control.
- In-Vehicle Hardware and Software Kit Componentized hardware and software kit installed in vehicles, offering customers flexibility to integrate with different vehicle types and deploy as a standalone white-labelled remote vehicle control unit or fully integrated with existing on-board cameras, sensors, and control units.
- Teleoperation as a Service Managed teleoperation service primarily for development fleets, providing trained and certified remote drivers and including in-vehicle teleoperation software on a subscription or usage-based model.
- Integration Services Professional services for integrating Designated Driver's teleoperation kits into customer vehicles and customizing software to meet specific requirements and use cases.
Quantifiable outcome
- Eliminated need for safety drivers in driver's seat, replacing them with remote teleoperation operators at dedicated operations centers
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Designated Driver
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Designated Driver technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Designated Driver partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Texas A&M UniversitycoreTexas A&M University integrated Designated Driver's teleoperation technology into its autonomous shuttles operating in downtown Bryan, Texas. This represents the first commercial deployment of teleoperation on public roads. The Remote Assistance system authorizes shuttles to proceed at intersections, with plans to add obstacle navigation capabilities.
- SamsungflagshipPartnership with Samsung and Vodafone to unveil the world's first remotely-controlled 5G car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Designated Driver provided teleoperation technology enabling Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. to remotely drive a Lincoln MKZ using a Samsung VR headset powered by Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.
- VodafoneflagshipVodafone provided the 5G network connectivity for the Goodwood Festival of Speed demonstration, enabling ultra-low latency required for real-time remote vehicle control. The 5G network provided speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G.
- Vaughn Gittin Jr.flagshipProfessional drift champion collaborated with Designated Driver, Samsung, and Vodafone to demonstrate the world's first remotely-controlled 5G car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, showcasing teleoperation technology capabilities through a high-profile driving demonstration.
- AutonomouStuffcoreDesignated Driver is the first teleoperation provider participating in AutonomouStuff's Open Autonomy Pilot Program. The company integrates its teleoperation technology into AutonomouStuff's autonomy software and state-of-the-art research vehicles, enabling remote control for obstructions, challenging conditions, and hazardous situations.
- RC Cars NZminorListed as a partner brand on the Designated Driver website, indicating a channel or reseller relationship for remote control car products.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Designated Driver competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Phantom Auto: Direct competitor offering teleoperation solutions for autonomous vehicles, including remote driving for low-speed and high-speed vehicles. Closest like-for-like competitor addressing the same AV developers and transportation companies with similar dual-mode (remote driving + remote assistance) capabilities.
- Ottopia: Direct competitor providing teleoperation software for autonomous vehicles, enabling remote assistance and remote driving for fleets including robotaxis, shuttles, and trucks. Comparable technology stack, customer base, and business model.
- DriveU.auto: Provides connectivity platform for teleoperation of AVs, focusing on low-latency video transmission. Comparable as a teleoperation infrastructure provider, though more focused on the connectivity layer than full remote operations services.
- Voysys: Video technology provider for remote operation of vehicles and industrial machines, including AV teleoperation. Comparable as a teleoperation video infrastructure peer with similar customer base in AV development.
Regional players
- AutonomouStuff: Partner of Designated Driver in the Open Autonomy Pilot Program; supplies autonomy software, sensors, and research vehicles. Comparable as a complementary/partner technology provider in the AV ecosystem rather than a direct teleoperation competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Waymo: Operates a commercial robotaxi service with proprietary in-house teleoperation capabilities. Comparable as a customer of teleoperation technology (potentially) but also a competitor that could build or acquire teleoperation rather than outsource to Designated Driver.
- Cruise: Major AV developer with proprietary teleoperation infrastructure for its robotaxi fleet. Represents both a potential customer and a competitive threat as it builds in-house rather than licensing third-party teleoperation.
- Motional: AV developer (joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai) operating robotaxi services with in-house teleoperation. Comparable as an AV customer/competitor that influences the broader teleoperation market.
Emerging players
- EasyMile: Provider of autonomous shuttles and software for first- and last-mile transportation, with teleoperation capabilities integrated into its EZ10 platform. Comparable as a customer/competitor in the autonomous shuttle deployment space where Designated Driver's Texas A&M deployment operates.
- May Mobility: Operates autonomous shuttle services with teleoperation support, deploying on public roads in multiple U.S. cities. Comparable as a customer profile (AV shuttle operator needing remote assistance) for Designated Driver's technology.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Designated Driver social profiles
Digital presenceDesignated Driver financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Designated Driver leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Designated Driver funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Designated Driver M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Designated Driver
What does Designated Driver do?
Designated Driver provides a teleoperation platform that enables remote human control and assistance for autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles. Its core offerings include a Remote Driving mode (full operator control), a Remote Assistance mode (operator guidance while autonomy remains active), a Control Station hardware/software kit for remote operators, an In-Vehicle hardware/software kit that integrates with vehicle cameras, sensors, and control units, and a Teleoperation as a Service managed offering staffed by trained, certified remote drivers. The platform can be deployed as a standalone white-labelled solution or fully embedded into existing autonomy stacks.
Is Designated Driver a public or private company?
Designated Driver is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Designated Driver founded?
Designated Driver was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Designated Driver based?
Designated Driver is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Designated Driver make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Teleoperation as a Service is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales and integration Services.
Who are Designated Driver's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Phantom Auto, Ottopia, DriveU.auto and Voysys. AutonomouStuff is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Waymo, Cruise and Motional. Emerging players are EasyMile and May Mobility.
Does Designated Driver have an API?
No public API is recorded for Designated Driver.
What industry is Designated Driver in?
Designated Driver's product category is Autonomous Vehicle Teleoperation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAF, Autonomous Vehicles & Ground Mobility, with a secondary code of HDAAAEAI, Autonomous Driving & ADAS Perception. Its NAICS code is 48599 and its SIC code is 4700.