Ericsson, Volvo Group, and Airtel Begin 5G Advanced Research Partnership in India

Telecommunications giant Ericsson, automotive manufacturer Volvo Group, and telecom provider Bharti Airtel have announced a joint research initiative to explore industrial applications of Extended Reality (XR) and Digital Twin technologies powered by 5G Advanced networks in India.

The collaboration, centered at Volvo Group's manufacturing facility and R&D center in Bangalore, will investigate how these technologies can enhance manufacturing operations, workforce training, and process optimization.

The research will focus on developing Industrial Metaverse applications that integrate physical and digital environments, particularly in human-machine interaction. Airtel's 5G network will serve as the technology backbone, providing the low latency and high-speed connectivity necessary for real-time simulations and immersive training across factory sites.

Beyond operational improvements, the partnership is exploring potential new revenue streams for telecom providers and ways to enhance network readiness for industrial XR applications in smart factories.

The companies anticipate that insights gained from this research could influence industrial digitalization strategies both in India and globally as more industries adopt digital transformation initiatives.

Volvo Cars established its presence in the Indian automotive market in 2007 as a subsidiary of the Swedish luxury car manufacturer. The company operates in India's premium automotive segment, competing with other European and global luxury brands.

Volvo Cars India imports most of its vehicles as completely knocked down (CKD) units, which are then assembled at its facility near Bangalore. The assembly plant, which began operations in 2018, produces select models for the Indian market, helping the company reduce import duties and price its vehicles more competitively.

The current Volvo lineup in India includes several models across different categories. In the SUV segment, Volvo offers the XC40, XC60, and the flagship XC90. The sedan portfolio includes the S60 and S90 models. Volvo has also introduced its performance-oriented Polestar variants to the Indian market in limited numbers.

In recent years, Volvo Cars India has placed significant emphasis on electrification, aligning with the company's global strategy. The company has introduced plug-in hybrid versions of several models and has committed to launching fully electric vehicles in the Indian market. The XC40 Recharge was among the first all-electric premium SUVs launched by the company in India.

Volvo maintains a network of dealerships across major metropolitan cities and tier-one cities in India. The company has focused on a boutique retail approach with fewer but more experience-oriented showrooms compared to mass-market brands.

In terms of market positioning, Volvo has adopted a strategy that emphasizes safety, Scandinavian design, and technological innovation. The brand has consistently incorporated advanced safety features across its lineup, maintaining its global reputation for producing some of the safest vehicles available.