Gothenburg Takes Center Stage in Volvo Cars’ Software Revolution
October 19 2023,
With a sprawling new facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo Cars is making an audacious stride in software development for its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. The software testing center, accounting for an initial investment of SEK 300 million, spreads across a colossal 22,000 square meters. It outclasses other facilities in Volvo's global network of Tech Hubs and engineering centers, both in size and scope.
The software-centric hub will be a year-round nexus for global testing activities, according to Anders Bell, the global head of R&D at Volvo Cars. Initially employing about 100 professionals, the center aims to triple its workforce while boosting its testing rigs and digital environments from approximately 200 to 500 as it reaches full throttle.
Next-Gen Tech in the Driver’s Seat
Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo’s global head of software engineering, points out that the facility's main thrust is to enhance the rate of innovation in pivotal areas, ranging from safety to autonomous driving capabilities. This aligns squarely with Volvo’s 2030 vision of a fully electric auto fleet, exemplified by software-defined models like the EX90 and EX30 SUVs. These vehicles are engineered to evolve through constant over-the-air software updates.
This unveiling underscores Volvo Cars' resolve to lead the automotive industry into a future where electric mobility and cutting-edge software go hand in hand. The Gothenburg center, together with other global sites, including a newly inaugurated Tech Hub in Singapore and a planned hub in Krakow, Poland, establishes Volvo Cars as a forerunner in automotive technology innovation.
