Volvo Dynamic Steering wins coveted innovation award

VDS almost entirely eliminates vibration in the steering wheel, which results in the driver not needing to keep correcting the steering wheel whilst driving. This reduces the risk of aches and pains in the back, neck and shoulders and enables the driver to relax. The driver does not get as tired as quickly which reduces the risk of accidents.

The new technology also makes it possible to reverse the truck with immense precision, a property that made possible Jean-Claude van Damme's recent remarkably successful YouTube stunt – ‘The Epic Split’.

Held on Monday 20^th January 2014 at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the 2013 Quality Innovation of the Year award is awarded annually to companies, organisations or individuals whose innovations are systematic in their operation and designed to meet an identified customer need. In order the win the award, any innovation must have a clear link to a specific customer requirement which Volvo Dynamic Steering fulfilled.

“Volvo Dynamic Steering is an excellent example of an invention developed to meet both commercial needs and user wishes. The new technology offers the driver both better manoeuvrability and an improved working environment,” commented Associate Professor Matti Kaulio of the Department of Industrial Economics at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology, who formulated the jury’s decision. “The fact that the innovation is both a response to individual needs and meets commercial requirements is truly exciting. It also somehow succeeds in offering a combination of tried and tested, as well as cutting-edge technology to create a better product. Then of course there is the safety aspect, which is part and parcel of Volvo’s brand image,” adds Matti Kaulio.

“It is very gratifying to receive this award,” says Hayder Wokil, Quality Director at Volvo Trucks “I had a feeling we might be in the running, so it was great to receive that phone call. It is proof that we are focusing on the right things and it gives us added incentive to continue to develop properties that lead to better quality and a safer driver’s environment in our trucks. Throughout the development process we constantly invite customers to provide feedback. This ties the customers closer to us and involves them in the development of our new products. Volvo Dynamic Steering is a milestone in our focus on driver environment and traffic safety.”