Today, Volvo Cars announced plans to establish a new Tech Hub in Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city. This remarkable development centre will play a pivotal role in Volvo’s strategy to become a fully electric brand by 2030 and a leader in cutting-edge technology, particularly through in-house software development.
The Krakow Tech Hub will focus on creating complete and critical features for Volvo’s new fully electric cars, aligning with the brand’s core mission. Engineers in Krakow will join Volvo’s global talent pool, accelerating innovation in key areas such as core safety technology, perception and driver assistance algorithms, and autonomous driving software.
The hub will also tackle other engineering challenges, including developing next-generation connected features and supporting development through data analytics. This initiative aims to shape the future of mobility, with the Krakow site being a central part of this vision.
Volvo plans to have the Tech Hub operational by the end of the year, initially employing around 120 engineers. By mid-decade, the workforce is expected to grow to between 500 and 600 people. This new hub will complement Volvo’s core engineering centres in China, Sweden, and other tech hubs globally.
As demonstrated by the recent revealing of the all-electric Volvo EX90 SUV, the automotive industry is undergoing rapid changes. Future Volvo cars will be fully electric, primarily sold online, powered by advanced core computers with in-house developed software, and improved through regular over-the-air updates.
In-house software development is crucial for Volvo to achieve its strategic goals of becoming a technology leader and a pure electric car brand by 2030. To support this transformation, Volvo is recruiting thousands of engineering talents worldwide, with the Krakow hub being an important addition to this effort.
Volvo chose Krakow after careful consideration, recognizing Poland’s strong presence in the tech industry and its emerging status as a tech hub. With its extensive network of tech firms and large telecom sector, Krakow offers a rich talent pool. While other global tech companies have a presence in Poland, few have tapped into Krakow, making it an ideal location for Volvo’s new Tech Hub.
The company will now focus on building networks and recruiting talent to ensure the new office is operational by the end of the year. Volvo Cars already operates Tech Hubs in Stockholm and Lund in Sweden, and Bangalore in India, along with large engineering centres in Shanghai, China, and Gothenburg, Sweden. Each location has its specialization, forming a strategic network of innovation centres worldwide.