Volvo Mobility Systems

Volvo needed an embedded UI framework for their Linux-based mobile transportation system.

The Challenge

For its ground breaking ITS4mobility system, a device used by public transportation companies to increase transit efficiency, Volvo Mobility Systems needed an interface that would be easy for drivers to use and would support a Linux-based system. Because the system would be sold in a number of different countries, it needed to support multiple languages as well.

The Solution

Volvo used Qt to design an interface for bus drivers that enabled them to interact with the mobile Linux-based computer. Called the Human Machine Interface (HMI), it provided drivers with an efficient, informative view with minimal interactions so they could keep their eyes on the road. The flexibility of Qt made it possible for Volvo to quickly modify the HMI when new specifications were called for. Now, transit authorities and bus operators can use ITSmobility to monitor the network of buses and manage control information such as automated vehicle location, traffic signal priority, automatic dispatching and real-time vehicle and driver management. The control center can also send messages to drivers with route changes to avoid traffic areas or to wait for connecting buses.

The Value

The Volvo design team was able to develop its HMI in only six months with Qt Core and was able to get ITS4mobility to market in only 18 months. Customer response has been enthusiastic and has helped to position Volvo favorably in the marketplace.

“Going with Qt was a fairly easy choice. It was the only product that fulfilled our needs and had commercially available support.” Goran Vorosy, Marketing Director, Volvo Mobility Systems.