Volvo Group Trucks Technology in India employs more than 1600 engineers, and this number will significantly increase in the coming years. The current set-up includes many facilities, such as vehicle garages, electrical & electronics lab, AR/VR Lab and access to proving grounds.
The increased focus on product and project responsibility within Volvo Group's R&D operations in India has led to a demand for a framework that will enhance product knowledge and prototype validation capability within India. This capability is being enhanced with the set-up of the Vehicle TechLab, a first in India's automotive industry. This lab can house complete trucks, chassis and aggregates. It has various supporting equipment for engineers to test, innovate, validate and experiment with their ongoing work - through a set-up equipped with driving simulators, test benches, 3D scanners, among various other tools and systems.
"This Vehicle TechLab is designed as a collaborative virtual workspace - creating a simulated workshop environment - using technologies like virtual reality, human body motion tracking & realistic digital rendering of vehicles that allows Volvo Engineers across the globe to connect & collaborate virtually. This facility will significantly reduce the development times, improve problem-solving and offer better insights & speed in building innovative solutions," commented CR Vishwanath, Vice President, Volvo Group Trucks Technology, India.
Projects being worked upon cover a range of areas: general vehicle technology, electric, autonomous, and connectivity solutions. Engineers will have access to complete products which could well include battery-electric or fuel cell electric trucks too, among other options.
"Volvo Group has one of the most ambitious SBTi targets in the industry, targeting the 1.5-degree pathway, where we will achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Already, by 2030, we target to cut the CO2 emissions of our trucks & buses by 40% per vehicle km," said Jan Gurander, Deputy CEO, Volvo Group.
He added, "To achieve this path, we are in the midst of a global organisation-wide business transformation to adopt emerging technologies, as well as new business models, across automation, electromobility & connectivity. By 2030, 50% of our revenues will come from services & solutions. India is going to play a key role in this transformation journey as Volvo Group's largest R&D site outside Sweden, along with our other global support functions, is located here."
This Vehicle TechLab adds to the growing capabilities of Volvo Group's R&D operations in India. In July 2021, Volvo Group launched CampX - Volvo Group's Global Innovation Arena - in Bengaluru. CampX in India has already engaged with close to 70 start-ups and is now building multiple proofs of concept with several start-ups.
