byAlexandra Miles/March 7, 2025/inVolvo News

Volvo Drives Innovation With Mixed Reality

The future of car development is here, and it’s blending the real and virtual worlds. Volvo Cars are integrating mixed reality headsets, developed by Finnish tech company Varjo, into every stage of their manufacturing process. This innovative use of mixed-reality allows Volvo to fine-tune vehicle designs, optimise production workflows, and ensure perfection at each step, long before the final prototype even reaches the assembly line.

But wait… what’s mixed reality?

We’ve only heard of virtual and augmented reality, and now there’s another? To make it short and sweet, yes. Mixed-reality (MR) can blend both virtual and augmented reality to create a hybrid experience, which means digital content can interact with the real world. Still, the user has the ability to interact with both the physical and virtual worlds simultaneously. “With the mixed reality approach, we can start evaluating designs and technologies while they are literally still on the drawing board.” – Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars.

How is Volvo using Varjo?

They’re using MR headsets to design and test vehicles virtually before creating the physical models. They can walk around and inspect the virtual models, check for design flaws, and make any modifications needed on the fly. This saves time and resources by eliminating the need for early-stage physical models and is another way that can help Volvo decrease their carbon footprint.

Volvo also uses MR in its manufacturing processes to train employees on how to assemble complex components and systems in a virtual environment. Workers can view the assembly in real time, overlaid on the actual components they’re working on. It can also assist Volvo’s international representatives such as our award-winning service team. For example, a service team might need guidance on repairs for a new Volvo model. The Varjo headset can guide them through the steps using MR, while the team remains on their home floor.

The Varjo MR headsets are also used for driver training and safety simulations. For example, the MR can simulate various road conditions and driving scenarios in a completely virtual environment to teach new drivers how to handle difficult situations without the risk of physical harm.

MR can also be used in Volvo showrooms and dealerships to provide customers with an interactive experience. Customers can visualise and customise options to make sure their Volvo dreams become their reality.

Volvo and Varjo testing a simulation vehicle, green tress

The Drive Away

Since Volvo started collaborating with Varjo in 2019, they have made significant progress both on and off the road, in this world and the virtual one. When it comes to the future, Casper Wickman, the Senior Technical Leader in UX Design for Volvo, says, “From now on, each time we want to try something that doesn’t exist, Varjo will be the technology we will use”.

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