Collaboration with Volvo Construction Equipment (CE)
Blekinge Institute of Technology has for many years had a close and strategic collaboration with Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). The collaboration includes research, education and projects that strengthen both the industry's competitiveness and BTH's research environments.
Within the research profile "Model-driven development and decision support", extensive work was carried out between 2013 and 2019 with a total budget of SEK 110 million. The funding was shared between the Knowledge Foundation (KKS), BTH and the participating companies.
Objective:
- To strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry both nationally and internationally.
- To develop innovative products of the future with a focus on sustainable product-service solutions through model-based decision support.
Participating companies:
In addition to Volvo CE, the following companies have also participated in the research profile:
- Aura Light International
- Avalon Innovation
- Dynapac Compaction Equipment
- Holje International Group
- Tetra Pak Packaging Solutions AB
- GKN Aerospace Engine Systems
Results and spin-off projects
Research under the profile has led to several new spin-off projects, including
- STOSIP (Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Implementation of Sustainability in the Innovation Process): a project focusing on integrating sustainability aspects into product development.
- Innovative Product Development: a project focusing on innovation skills and creative concept development.
International collaboration with Stanford University
Volvo CE has also been an active client in collaborative projects between BTH and Stanford University. Here, student teams from both universities work together with Volvo CE's experts to develop sustainable concepts for future products and services.
- Our collaboration with BTH is a very successful partnership. Our company is in a very exciting transformation phase where we provide BTH with good examples to research. Since BTH collaborates with other industries that have already made their transitions from products to services, we can, for example, gain knowledge of proven methods instead of inventing everything ourselves.
Jenny Elfsberg, Director, Innovation Lab Hub US, Volvo Group
A collaboration for the future
The collaboration between BTH and Volvo CE is an excellent example of how academia and industry can work together to create innovations that benefit both society and business. Through this partnership, BTH and Volvo CE contribute to meeting future demands for sustainability and technological development.
