The new generation of fully electric Volvo cars is hardware designed, but software-defined. As part of that strategy, Volvo continuously invest in our in-house software development and testing capabilities. They have revealed one of their biggest investments to date: a new, state-of-the-art software testing center in Gothenburg, Sweden that amplifies our capacity for integrated software testing at all levels.
At a size of around 22,000 square meters and representing an initial investment of around SEK 300 million, the new software testing center is the new flagship in its network of engineering centers and Tech Hubs around the world. Volvo also operates software test centers in Lund, Sweden and Shanghai, China, but the new Gothenburg facility is by far the largest in terms of size and capacity.
The Volvo car of the future is fully electric, increasingly sold online, powered by cutting-edge core computers running in-house developed software and constantly improves over time thanks to regular over-the-air software updates. That makes in-house software development and testing key to achieving strategic ambitions, which include being an industry leader in new technology and a fully electric car company by 2030.
The new Volvo software testing facility will initially employ around 100 people, a figure that is expected to grow to 300 once the testing center is running at full capacity. Eventually, the site will house around 500 testing rigs and digital test environments, up from almost 200 right now.
The Gothenburg site will work closely together with our other engineering centers around the globe that play a central role in software development. Last month, Volvo established a new Tech Hub in Singapore, while it announced its plans for another software-focused Tech Hub in Krakow, Poland in February.
“Our growing ranks of software engineers work on a wide variety of exciting challenges,” says Alwin Bakkenes, our global head of software engineering. “The aim is to boost our innovation speed by developing software for key areas for Volvo Cars – from core safety technology based on our deep understanding of what causes accidents, to our perception and driver assistance algorithms and software for future autonomous driving.”