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