Volvo Cars has opened a new, state-of-the-art software testing centre in Gothenburg, Sweden which amplifies its capacity for integrated software testing at all levels. 

The need for a global software hub was driven by an all-electric future for Volvo cars, and increasingly sold online, powered by cutting-edge core computers running in-house developed software and with regular over-the-air software updates.

At a size of around 22,000 square metres and representing an initial investment of around SEK 300 million, the new software testing centre is the new flagship in Volvo Cars’ network of engineering centres and Tech Hubs around the world. The company also operates software test centres in Lund, Sweden and Shanghai, China, but the new Gothenburg facility is by far the largest in terms of size and capacity. Apart from the sites in Krakow and Singapore, Volvo Cars operates Tech Hubs in Stockholm and Lund in Sweden, as well as in Bengaluru in India.

“This is a state-of-the-art facility that will be the hub for our global software testing and validation activities,” said Anders Bell, our global head of R&D. “Developers from all our global engineering sites and tech hubs can run software tests here remotely, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I firmly believe that with this new testing centre, we’ve set a new benchmark for the automotive industry.” 

The new software testing facility will initially employ around 100 people, a figure that is expected to grow to 300 once the testing centre is running at full capacity. Eventually the site will house around 500 testing rigs and digital test environments, up from almost 200 right now. 

“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.” 

We also have large engineering centres in Shanghai, China and Gothenburg, Sweden. While each of these locations has its own focus area, together they make up a crucial network of innovation centres strategically spread around the globe.