Tech Transformers

Volvo to test autonomous cars in Sweden

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Key trends at Mobile World Congress 2015
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Technology in the auto space is advancing at a rapid speed, with much of the focus on the development of autonomous cars. But although Google has dominated the headlines, it's not the only one making waves in this space.

Speaking to CNBC at Mobile World Congress, Klas Bendrik, CIO of Volvo, said it too was developing a driverless car, which would be tested by "normal people on normal roads."

"The starting point is to put these 100 cars in the streets of Gothenburg (Sweden), driven by normal people on normal roads, which will actually see whether this can be rolled out further in Europe and also in the U.S.," he said Tuesday.

In February, Volvo revealed details of its "Drive Me" program, which will see the company work with transport authorities and legislators to get driverless cars on the roads as soon as 2017.

It came after Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, told CNBC Monday that his company was "on track" to deliver an autonomous car by 2020.

"What we have promised is that automatic traffic-jam driving will come in 2016…and by 2020 city driving," Ghosn said, stressing that it would enable people to be "more in control of driving."

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Developments in car connectivity

Daniel Roland | AFP | Getty Images

Another hot topic at this year's Mobile World Congress is smart car technology – and Volvo's Bendrik said it was trailing a cloud-based system to enhance drivers' experience.

"When our cars and customers are connected, we can enhance their experience in the vehicle by using sensors and technology in our vehicles, for example to measure road friction," he said.

"We can guide the user and the driver with information about slippery roads."

The company is working with Ericsson to provide the technology, which it is currently piloting in Norway and Sweden.

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