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Innovation Lab is a place where we identify, explore and validate, new ideas and new business opportunities, driven by trends in society. We work closely together with the truck divisions and business areas in Volvo Group, as well as partners, customers and start-ups. It’s a place with a lot of energy, where we have fun and accelerate the ideas all the way to the market
Humans in logistics
There is a shortage of professional drivers around the world and many operators face the challenge of attracting and retaining them. In the US alone, it is estimated that there will be a shortfall of 174,000 truck drivers by 2027.
Throughout the human-centered section of the supply chain, which includes drivers, operators, and workshop technicians, not enough new employees are available to replace those who leave. We are using digital solutions to improve the health and fitness of employees across the logistics chain, to enable them to work more safely and more efficiently, and to keep them connected to their friends and family.
From owning to mobility as a service
By 2030, there will be fewer vehicles on our roads than there are today. Almost one third of consumers would like to move from driving cars to using public transport, ride hailing/sharing schemes, and autonomous taxis over the next 5-10 years. Old ownership models are being replaced by platform-enabled, asset-light servitization models. The largest player in the field of accommodation does not own hotel rooms and the main mobility service provider has no vehicles of its own.
Data and connectivity have made the sharing economy possible on a large scale and the next wave of transformation is already underway. This will involve more efficient fleets and the lives of people in congested urban areas being improved.
End-to-end logistics solutions
The global expansion of e-commerce and rising customer expectations of a seamless shopping experience have resulted in a higher volume of goods having to be delivered to more widespread locations. Deliveries need to be made much more quickly and in a personalized way.
Urban logistics systems must become more efficient to meet the increasing demand. This will open up for innovative delivery methods, new business models, and logistics services. Connectivity, AI, and analytics lie at the heart of the creation of the new revenue streams. They will improve the efficiency of the supply chain and the visibility of logistics and reduce the operational costs.
Boosting efficiency and safety
Efficiency is the key to running a successful freight fleet. In the US, over 90% of fleets operate six or fewer trucks and they need to make the most of their resources. Digital solutions can boost productivity and safety and address key challenges such as congestion, fuel efficiency, rising vehicle maintenance costs, excessive time spent on quoting and invoicing, miscommunication with drivers, and an increasing customer demand for real-time delivery visibility. With a load efficiency of less than 60%, there is significant potential to increase the profitability of businesses.
Silent, clean, and disruptive
By 2030 there will be over 250 million electric vehicles on the road. Logistics firms are turning to e-trucks for three reasons: global push for stricter emissions regulation, rising total cost of ownership, increased investments in the e-truck infrastructure. The charging infrastructure is the number one obstacle to the adoption of EVs.
Early adopters of EVs can benefit from new revenue streams by expanding into the provision of recycling services and second-life EV battery usage. By 2025, the market for battery recycling is expected to reach 3.5 billion US dollars and the market for second-life batteries could grow to 4.2 billion US dollars.
