As part of a strategy to increase capacity for integrated software testing, Volvo Cars has opened a new software testing center in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Fully electric Volvo cars, according to the company, are defined by software – as evidenced by new models such as EX90 SUV and the EX30 SUV, which are improved through regular OTA software updates.
At a size of 22,000m2 and representing an initial investment of around Skr300m (US$27m), the testing facility is the new flagship in Volvo’s network of engineering centers and tech hubs around the world. Other software test centers are located in Lund, Sweden, and Shanghai, China.
The auto maker states that in-house software development and testing is key to achieving its strategic ambitions, which include being “an industry leader in new technology” and a fully electric car company by 2030.
The new software testing facility will initially employ around 100 people, and this is expected grow to 300 once the center is running at full capacity. Eventually the site will house around 500 testing rigs and digital test environments.
The Gothenburg site will work closely with other Volvo engineering centers that play a central role in software development. Last month, a new Volvo tech hub was announced in Singapore, with plans for another software hub in Krakow, Poland, in February 2024.
Alwin Bakkenes, global head of software engineering at Volvo, said, “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.”
