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Thomas
von der Ohe

Co-Founder, CEO

WHAT DRIVES ME

You come across an opportunity to positively impact societies around the globe maybe once in your lifetime. An opportunity to truly make a difference. Our unique approach to autonomous driving gives us this chance: redefining how people move in a better way. Building and shipping a product with this great team is what drives me day and night.

BACKGROUND

Launched Zoox’ first self-driving vehicle on public streets as leading Technical Program Manager in Silicon Valley, launched Amazon’s first Echo as leading Technical Program Manager on Device Software, Founded two (funded) mobility companies. M. Sc. Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University.

Fabrizio
Scelsi

Co-Founder, CTO

WHAT DRIVES ME

Building products together with an amazing team based on cutting-edge technology to serve a greater purpose and solve problems – for the people, for our planet.

BACKGROUND

Manager of an engineering team in Silicon Valley to build autonomous shuttles, built teams and various mobility products: electric race cars, e-motorcycles, light electric vehicles, electric passenger vehicles, including one of the most successful electric delivery vehicles in Germany. RWTH Aachen, Imperial College London.

Bogdan
Djukic

Co-founder, VP Engineering & Teledrive Experience

WHAT DRIVES ME

Vay is aiming to launch the first vehicle without a safety driver on public roads in Europe. This involves exciting engineering challenges, many of which have never been worked on before, ranging from autonomous vehicle technology, cybersecurity, backend, machine learning and safety-critical SW. Coming up with engineering solutions to these topics is something that I’m super excited to work on at Vay.

BACKGROUND

Team Lead at Microsoft, Senior Software Engineer at Skype. M. Sc. in Computer Science from Belgrade University.

Mariona
Bosch

VP Programs and Engineering Operations

WHAT DRIVES ME

Working closely with people from different cultures and professional backgrounds (hardware, software, operations, etc.) gives me the chance to learn new ways of approaching projects, structuring teams, and setting up processes every day. The results of this incredible teamwork are hugely rewarding, and visible in each step of our product.

BACKGROUND

Part of the management circle at AUDI AG, responsible for the implementation of prototypes at early development stages of new products (innovation vehicles, concept and pre-series vehicles, show cars, design models, testing single parts, PoCs, 3D-printing)

Justin
Spratt

CBO - Business & Corporate Development

WHAT DRIVES ME

What drives me is to work on goals that have a big impact on society. Additionally, I wanted to work with the smartest and most innovative people in the tech world. That’s better at Vay than any other company I’ve spoken to recently.

BACKGROUND

Responsible for global strategic partnerships at Uber, where he focused on deals with automotive OEMs, vehicle fleet operators, vehicle battery technology companies and electrification infrastructure providers. Was CEO and chief growth officer at Quirk. Began his professional life at Morgan Stanley as a fixed income trader after studying economics and finance. Built the first startup incubator in Africa in 2002 and has been mentoring founders of technology startups for over ten years. He is an angel investor in software technology and holds board positions in some of these companies.

Irene
Molins

Director of People

WHAT DRIVES ME

Driven by a passion for fostering vibrant organizational cultures, I am a seasoned leader specializing in People and Culture. Throughout my career journey, I’ve championed initiatives to empower teams, from crafting recruitment strategies aligned with core values to implementing data-driven processes for optimal People Operations.

BACKGROUND

My background spans roles where I’ve spearheaded the establishment of People departments from scratch and led teams through significant growth. I thrive on continuous learning, embracing remote/hybrid cultures and cutting-edge HR technologies. I leadled innovative solutions to optimise processes and initiatives that rewarded InfoJobs a “Best Place to Work”.
Outside of work, my passions for mountains and my dog, reflect my eagerness to explore the wild and love for 4-legs companions.

David
Gossow

Senior Principal Software Engineer

WHAT DRIVES ME

After having worked in autonomous robotics research for a long time in the Silicon Valley, I am thrilled to be working at a company that is finally bringing this technology into people’s everyday lives.

BACKGROUND

Tech Lead at Google Tango in Mountain View, Research Engineer at Willow Garage, yoga instructor since 2018.

Johanna
Loomis

Lead Industrial Designer

WHAT DRIVES ME

What drives me at Vay is the enthusiasm and passion for a vision that is embedded in the company culture, and at the same time the strict discipline in its implementation.

BACKGROUND

Industrial Product Design Lead at TEAMS DESIGN GmbH for over six years, started as a Trainee in Shanghai City. Worked as Industrial and Product Designer at LOTHAR BOHM ASSOCIATES LIMITED, Lutz Herrmann Design, Indeed Innovation and Werksdesign.

Vladimir
Bilonenko

Director of Software Engineering

WHAT DRIVES ME

Helping engineers to do their best and most important work. Elegance in software. Bringing ideas from books to real life and from one domain to another. Going from A to B fast.

BACKGROUND

Software Generalist. Maps and Mobility Geek (Lon, Lat not Lat, Lon). High Load at Yandex, Geo Analytics and Last Mile at HERE Maps, Mobility Platform at Daimler. Conway’s Law Enthusiast.

ALINA
PRESTI

Teledriver

WHAT DRIVES ME

A car enthusiast, driven by cars, driving and technology.

BACKGROUND

Nursery school teacher. Driver at Skoda’s start-up Caredriver.

Claire
Eagan

Director of Legal

WHAT DRIVES ME

I’m passionate about leveraging technology to democratize transportation and revolutionize the mobility landscape.

BACKGROUND

Senior Counsel Product & Strategy at Uber handling catastrophic loss claims and litigation, 13 years of experience in product & safety advising and risk mitigation, J.D. University of Illinois at Chicago.

Meet Antonella, our first teledriver in the US

We are super excited that Anto joined Vay as our first teledriver in Las Vegas.

Welcome to the team!

In the following interview, find out more about her passion for remote driving (teledriving), her responsibilities and how she strives to ensure a high level of safety as a teledriver:

Anto, how were your first days at Vay?

My initial days at Vay were truly wonderful. Martin and Chris made me feel welcomed from the beginning on. They had thoughtfully arranged all the equipment I needed, and gave me a great tour of the office. While there was a substantial amount of information to take in on the first days, they made it easy for me to absorb everything.

What drives you?

I am committed to contributing to a brighter, more sustainable future. I want to be part of what keeps our planet thriving for generations to come. Additionally, I am passionate about fostering a world that is inclusive and accessible to all.

In your opinion, what are the main advantages of remote driving technology?

Remote driving technology offers numerous advantages. One of its primary benefits is the efficient utilisation of urban space. Rather than having vast areas dedicated to parking lots, the cars of a teledriving mobility service will be highly utilised and remain in motion. This allows cities to repurpose these spaces for community-centric initiatives, such as parks, playgrounds or housing, to enhance the quality of life in urban areas.

Las Vegas is known for its complex traffic patterns and busy streets. How do you handle these dynamic conditions as a teledriver?

Navigating the bustling streets of Vegas requires a heightened sense of awareness and being extra aware of my surroundings. Growing up my grandfather taught me not only to focus on the vehicle directly in front of me but also to anticipate the movements of vehicles further ahead. Also the good overview in Vay’s teledrive station helps me anticipate potential challenges, allowing for more informed decision-making and ensuring that I’m not taken by surprise, even in complex driving scenarios.

What does safety mean to you as a teledriver?

To me as a teledriver, safety is paramount. It’s not just about following the guidelines set by Vay, but truly internalising their importance for the well-being of everyone on the road. Especially because I am not physically present in the car. Every day I approach my role as if I were chauffeuring my own family.

In your opinion, which of Vay’s safety guidelines are the most important?

I believe the most vital safety aspect is the fitness of the teledrivers to drive. It’s important that teledrivers are neither fatigued nor facing any distractions that could affect their performance. A clear and focused mind and working in a safe and controlled environment is essential in teledriving. It allows us to give our full, undivided attention to our tasks, ensuring safety for all road users.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career as a remote driver?

Do it! It’s an amazing field to be in. As it is a new profession that is advancing and changing, you will learn something new every day. I appreciate my team at Vay, that makes me feel welcome at all times and helps me to grow.

Thanks for answering these questions, Anto!

Cheers to a great start in our mission to bring our safe, affordable and sustainable door-to-door mobility services around the world.

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