Volvo Cars' Gothenburg Center: A Colossal Bet on Software-Defined EVs
October 16 2023,
Sweeping Changes in the Automotive Landscape
Volvo Cars has marked another milestone in the burgeoning field of electric vehicles and software development with the launch of its expansive software testing center in Gothenburg, Sweden. Sprawling over 22,000 square meters and backed by an initial SEK 300 million investment, the facility sets a new industry benchmark for integrated software testing capabilities.
Anders Bell, Volvo’s Global Head of R&D, envisions the Gothenburg site as a 24/7 testing hub open to developers from Volvo's global network of engineering sites and tech hubs. Initial staffing will start at about 100, with plans to swell to 300 as the center reaches full operational capacity. Moreover, the facility will eventually boast nearly 500 testing rigs and digital environments—more than double its current resources.
Driving Towards a Fully Electric Future
Aligned with Volvo's strategic push to become a fully electric car company by 2030, the center will focus on developing cutting-edge software for a variety of applications, including safety and autonomous driving. According to Alwin Bakkenes, Global Head of Software Engineering, this will help speed up the innovation in crucial sectors, benefiting models like the EX90 and EX30 SUVs, which rely on continuous over-the-air software updates for performance enhancements.
This facility is the latest addition to Volvo’s burgeoning global footprint in tech innovation, supplementing other recent expansions like a new Tech Hub in Singapore and future plans for a hub in Krakow, Poland. With this strategic move, Volvo Cars is positioned to lead the way in the software-defined, electric vehicle era.
