Volvo Group's R&D operations in India has become the largest development site outside Sweden, Jan Gurander, Deputy CEO, Volvo Group & Chairman, Volvo Group, India, has said.
Laying the foundation stone for the Global Lab for Global Trucks Technology at Bagmane Tech Park in Bangalore, he said, Volvo Group has one of the most ambitious SBTi targets in the industry, targeting the 1.5-degree pathway, where it will achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040.
'Aready, by 2030, we target to cut the CO2 emissions of our trucks & buses by 40% per vehicle km. To achieve this path, we are in the midst of a global organisation-wide business transformation to adopt emerging technologies and 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,' Gurander added.
The Lab
The Global Lab for Global Trucks Technology will bring products close to the engineers to generate ideas. It will have a collaborative platform to jointly develop products in the shortest possible time. Besides, there are possibilities to collaborate with suppliers in product development. In addition to product development, the lab will also take up projects on manufacturing operations and aftermarket-related assignments.
The lab will help speed up the new product development process and make the group competitive, Gurander added.
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. Today, this capability is being enhanced with the set-up of the Vehicle TechLab, a first in India's industry. This lab can house complete trucks, chassis and aggregates. In addition, 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.
The lab will take up several projects, including general vehicle technology, electric, autonomous, and connectivity solutions. In addition, engineers will have access to complete products that could include battery-electric or fuel cell electric trucks, among other options.
Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, said Volvo Group India is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global world of transportation. 'This is one of the most exciting times to be an engineer. Our aim is to provide one of the most rewarding & satisfying work environment for our engineers - a culture that offers learning, capability building, high feasibility to turn ideas into actions, a global network, good work-life balance, flexible workplaces and that which is marked by trust, transparency and collaboration - while being immersed in advanced technology that goes in making world-leading trucks.'
Volvo Group Trucks Technology in India employs more than 1,600 engineers, and this number will significantly increase in the coming years. The current set-up includes a host of facilities such as vehicle garages, electrical & electronics lab, AR/VR Lab, and access to proving grounds.
CR Vishwanath, Vice President, Volvo Group Trucks Technology, India, '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.'
This Vehicle TechLab adds to the growing capabilities of Volvo Group's R&D operations in India. Earlier, in July 2021, Volvo Group launched CampX - Volvo Group's Global Innovation Arena - in Bengaluru. According to the company, CampX in India has already engaged with close to 70 start-ups and is now building multiple proofs of concept with several start-ups.