Thesis work: Technical platform to seamless user experience - Automation in recreational boating

Location: 

Göteborg, SE, 417 15

Position Type:  Student

 

Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match. 

About us

Volvo Penta is a world-leading supplier of engines and complete power systems for marine and industrial applications. Volvo Penta has developed a global leadership and one of the industry’s strongest brands.

 
At Volvo Penta, the Onboard Connectivity department develops and maintains the telematics platform and onboard connectivity solutions. We work closely with backend development teams and IT organizations to enable secure and reliable communication between onboard systems, cloud services, and customer applications.

 

Background:

User Experience (UX) & Autonomous Logic (Suitable for: Interaction Design, Cognitive Science)

 

Relevant programs:

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Interaction Design

Cognitive Science

User Experience Design

Service Design

Industrial Design

Digital Media

 

Typical student skills:

User research

Prototyping

User testing

Journey mapping

Behavioral analysis

Interface design

Figma

Design thinking

Description: If Penta provides the underlying platform (similar to Home Assistant), how can ordinary boat owners — not just technology enthusiasts — configure and manage automation?

 

Research questions:

•Which use cases provide the greatest value (e.g., a "Leaving the boat" mode that turns off the gas supply, switches off all electrical equipment, and activates the alarm)?
•How can an interface be designed so that users can create automation rules intuitively, without feeling as though they are programming?

 

Objective:

•Prototype a UX/UI solution and evaluate it with actual boat owners to identify the killer features of connected boating.

Thesis Level: Master (30 ECTS points)

Language: Swedish or English

Starting date: January 2027

Number of students: 1-2 students

Last application date: 20 October 2027

Examiner proposal: if available

Entity: AB Volvo Penta, Gothenburg, Sweden

Ready for the next move?

Contact:

Gökcen Özcelik, Experienced Product Owner, gokcen.ozcelik@volvo.com


We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail. 


Who we are and what we believe in 
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.


Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. ​We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. ​We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment. 

 

Volvo Penta, a world-leading supplier of engines and complete drive systems for marine and industrial applications, you will be part of a global and diverse team of highly skilled professionals who works with passion, trust each other and embraces change to stay ahead. We make our customers win.

Job Category:  Technology Engineering
Organization:  Volvo Penta
Travel Required:  No Travel Required
Requisition ID:  35110

Do we share the same aspirations?

Every day, Volvo Group products and services ensure that people have food on the table, children arrive safely at school and roads and buildings can be constructed. Looking ahead, we are committed to driving the transition to sustainable and safe transport, mobility and infrastructure solutions toward a net-zero society.

Joining Volvo Group, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic brands and be part of a global and leading industrial company that is harnessing automated driving, electromobility and connectivity.

Our people are passionate about what they do, they aim for high performance and thrive on teamwork and learning. Everyday life at Volvo is defined by a climate of support, care and mutual respect.

If you aspire to grow and make an impact, join us on our journey to create a better and more resilient society for the coming generations.