Teleoperation Takes the Wheel: How Soliton Systems Meets Germany’s New Remote Driving Standards

Germany has taken a bold step into the future of mobility. With the newly published Straßenverkehr-Fernlenk-Verordnung (StVFernLV), the federal government has officially given the green light to remote-controlled driving on public roads. This regulation, effective from December 1, 2025, sets the stage for a new era of teleoperated vehicles, but it also introduces strict technical requirements that demand cutting-edge solutions. That’s where Soliton Systems and its Zao SDK come into play.

What the Regulation Says

The new law allows vehicles to be remotely operated, provided they meet stringent latency and reliability standards. Specifically:

• Maximum latency of 200 milliseconds for video, audio, and control signals.
• Real-time display of critical driving data like stopping distance, lane trajectory, and total system latency.
• High availability, reliability, and robustness of the data connection.
• Remote operators must be located within Germany.

These rules aim to ensure that remote drivers can respond quickly and safely, even when controlling vehicles from afar. The regulation doesn’t cap vehicle speed, meaning even highway teleoperation is possible, assuming the technology can keep up.

The Challenge: Blind Driving at 200 ms

A 200 ms delay might sound small, but in driving terms, it’s significant. At 100 km/h, a car travels nearly 5.5 meters in that time. That’s why the regulation requires systems to calculate and display the “Fahrtverzug”, the delay-induced travel distance, so operators can make informed decisions.

The key to safe teleoperation lies in ultra-low-latency video transmission, stable connectivity, and real-time control feedback. Traditional 4G networks often fall short where network congestion can disrupte remote driving.

Enter Soliton Systems and Zao SDK

Soliton Systems has long been a leader in secure, low-latency video transmission. Their Zao SDK is a game-changer for teleoperation, offering:

• Glass-to-glass latency as low as 65 ms, well below the 200 ms threshold.
• Encrypted, ultra-reliable streaming over 4G, 5G, or bonded networks.
• Real-time telemetry integration, allowing remote drivers to see and react to vehicle data instantly.
• Adaptive bitrate and error correction, ensuring smooth performance even in challenging network conditions.

The Zao technology and its highly reliably, secure and low latency RACOW protocol has been used for many years in critical applications like live broadcasting, surveillance, and emergency response fields where latency and reliability are non-negotiable. More recently it has been used for teleoperation such as the Smart City Consortium. Its proven track record makes it an ideal backbone for teleoperated driving systems.

Meeting the Regulation, Line by Line

Let’s break down how Zao SDK aligns with the new German law:

With these features, Soliton Systems doesn’t just meet the regulation, it exceeds it.

The Road Ahead

As automakers like BMW and Valeo explore remote parking and delivery services, and startups like Elmo push carsharing innovations, the need for robust teleoperation tech will only grow. Soliton Systems is uniquely positioned to support such ventures, offering a mature, scalable solution that’s ready for real-world deployment.

Germany’s new regulation is a milestone, but it’s also a challenge. It demands precision, speed, and trust in technology. With Zao SDK, Soliton Systems delivers all three, making remote driving not just possible, but practical.

Want to explore how Zao SDK can power your teleoperation project? Let’s dive into the tech together. Contact us today to learn more.