hWith just a few taps on the app, the electric car slowed down and came to a halt outside Berlin’s old cargo hall. There’s no one behind the wheel, but as passengers enter, a voice chimes in:
The vehicle emits a cheerful jingle before proceeding to the former runway, where traffic cones indicate various operational zones.
This isn’t an ordinary driverless car. “Bartek” refers to Bartek Sztendel, not just an automated voice from Robotaxi. A real person, stationed hundreds of meters away at a remote driving hub, controls it.
Seated in a plush leather chair, he uses pedals for acceleration and braking while steering with a wheel, closely monitoring the journey through three large screens in front of him, supplemented by four discreet rooftop cameras. Headphones provide audio feedback from both inside and outside the vehicle, while sensors let him sense the bumps on the road.
Sztendel is part of Vay—a name that reflects how many Germans say “Way.” This remote driving tech firm, founded in Berlin in 2018, aims to transform urban mobility across Europe.
While the world is gradually adopting conventional self-driving taxis in cities like San Francisco and Shanghai, Vay envisions a future where remote-driven cars can pick up rental vehicles in Berlin, transport them to a desired location with a remote operator, and terminate the rental—leaving the hassle of parking to the driver. Users are charged per minute for electric rides at a rate claimed to be approximately half of current shared services.
Vay’s CEO and co-founder, Thomas von Der Ohe, plans to utilize Las Vegas as a trial area for its services, with Germany set to follow soon. A Stanford University alumnus in computer science and entrepreneurship, he mentions that American cities “have a crucial legal framework.”
“It made it onto page three. Germany had its share of challenges, but we collaborated closely with authorities to address everything from technical specifications to safety concerns.
Just before the summer break, the German parliament approved legislation to allow commercially operated remote-controlled vehicles in designated areas, starting December 1. Though not as daring as laws enabling firms like Waymo and Cruise to run autonomous vehicles in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, it still signals a new momentum for major European automakers.
Von Der Ohe envisions a future where car ownership is no longer necessary, contributing to sustainable urban living.
Beyond engineers, the company heavily relies on drivers, which represents a significant cost. Despite the skills gap, attracting candidates for this emerging field hasn’t been problematic.
According to Von Der Ohe, many of the controllers have backgrounds from Uber and traditional taxi services, especially those who have faced safety issues. He noted that even truck drivers, worn out from lengthy hauls and time away from family, are looking for a change, including some coping with health issues due to extended vibrations.
“People see this as a promising career. They enjoy scheduled breaks and work in teams rather than isolation,” Von Der Ohe emphasized. Moreover, they earn hourly wages instead of on a per-ride basis.
Sztendel, who hails from Poland, logged extensive driving hours over several weeks before becoming certified as a remote operator. He remarked that individuals with gaming experience tend to adapt quickly, but emphasized that “serenity, strong safety, and responsibility skills” are critical. He enjoys games like Need for Speed, but described the experience of remotely controlling real vehicles as “truly incredible.”
Glancing away from his monitor, he pointed out that the large red button on the left can be pressed in an emergency, prompting the car to stop instantly.
Source: www.theguardian.com
