Vay, a Germany-based teledriving rideshare firm, has appointed its first teledriver in the United States (US) who completed training at the Vay Teledrive Academy in Berlin. Antonella Siracusa-Rosa became the pioneer of a group of teledrivers as Vay extended its operations in the US.
(Photo : Vay Official YouTube Channel)
Did you ever wonder what the future of the driving profession looks like? Vay’s teledriving technology enables a remote driver (“the teledriver”) to drive a vehicle from afar (“teledriving”).
Vay Introduced its First Teledriver in the US
After announcing its intentions to bring its rental EV delivery service to the US four months ago, Vay has taken a significant step forward by appointing its first teledriver.
Vay proudly introduced Antonella Siracusa-Rosa as its inaugural teledriver in the US. Antonella successfully completed an extensive training program at the Vay Teledrive Academy.
As stated in the company's press release, she is the first of a promising cohort of teledrivers who will be based at Vay's Las Vegas headquarters, which commenced operations last May.
Antonella brings a wealth of experience in mobility startups, having previously worked with innovative companies such as Zoox and Elon Musk's Boring Company.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to embark on this incredible journey as Vay's first teledriver in the US. Being part of Vay's outstanding team and sharing in their visionary mission feels like stepping into the future. Together, we will change the way people move in cities," she noted.
In her new capacity, Antonella will dedicate her efforts to field-testing Vay's teledriving technology as the company gears up for the launch of its inaugural commercial service in the US.
Caleb Varner, the General Manager of Vay's US operations, expressed the company's excitement about Antonella joining their team. He highlighted her local presence in Las Vegas as a valuable asset that strengthens their understanding of the region.
With Antonella's arrival, Vay sees this as the beginning of a promising chapter. Varner emphasized the critical role played by teledrivers in providing their cost-effective and competitive door-to-door mobility service, underlining the significance of local talent like Antonella in their efforts.
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Broader Initiative of Germany-Based Vay
This move marks the commencement of a broader initiative where a multitude of teledrivers will remotely operate electric vehicles (EVs) across the country, eliminating the need for a physical human presence.
Electrek reported that Vay has chosen a remote-first strategy, allowing operators to pilot EVs within the fleet from dedicated hubs.
While Vay is actively exploring the integration of autonomous driving features as regulations allow, its current service hinges on teledrivers responsible for delivering rental EVs to customers autonomously.
After customers complete their trips, they leave the EVs at their convenience, and then Vay takes over remotely to drive the vehicle back to its base.
In February, Vay achieved a significant milestone by successfully operating a driverless vehicle on Hamburg's roads in Germany, proudly becoming the European pioneer to accomplish this feat.
Building on this achievement, Vay announced its expansion plans to enter the US market in May. Now, marking another milestone, Vay has welcomed its inaugural teledriver in the United States.
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