Rear view of Volvo Base
Base
Strategic Design (TD1)
2026
Volvo Base is a modular, autonomous offshore evacuation system designed to help people escape wildfires when land infrastructure is overwhelmed. The concept centres on a rapidly deployable platform made of inflatable rescue rafts and connectable barge modules, equipped with propulsion, stabilisation, and essential crisis-support systems such as water purification, battery storage, lighting, and communication. Positioned at shorelines, the platform allows evacuees to move away from dangerous heat and smoke into safer offshore zones, where it can anchor itself and provide temporary shelter for small groups until rescue vessels arrive. Compact enough to be transported in standard cargo containers and adaptable through modular components, Volvo Base offers a flexible, scalable solution for climate-related emergencies, prioritising accessibility, safety, and resilience in chaotic evacuation scenarios.
Mission: Coordinated Mobility
Strategic Design | 2026
In this project, students were asked to propose brand-led vehicle concepts for crisis logistics as part of Volvo Construction Equipment's future vision for 2036. Working as strategic design teams, students explored how mobility solutions could support disaster response and recovery while acting as positive brand ambassadors in crisis-affected contexts. The aim was to identify meaningful opportunities where Volvo CE's expertise, sustainability ambitions, and brand values could create value for customers, communities, and society through resilient and scalable mobility systems.
Process
The course began with team-building activities and the establishment of team contracts to support collaboration throughout the project. Students then immersed themselves in Volvo CE's brand, products, and strategic ambitions through a study visit, lectures, and workshops. This phase focused on understanding real-world challenges in disaster response, identifying stakeholder needs, and defining key project parameters.
During the Sense-Making & Strategy phase, each team developed its own strategic framework, design brief, and work plan, outlining target users, design opportunities, project goals, and milestones. This foundation enabled teams to explore distinct directions while ensuring alignment with Volvo CE's values and long-term vision.
The Exploration & Presentation phase encouraged a design workflow that combined 2D and 3D development. Students engaged stakeholders throughout the process to validate requirements and ensure concepts reflected both brand identity and practical needs. Supported by tutoring, lectures, and collaborative ideation sessions, teams developed and communicated their proposals through visualisations, presentations, and design narratives.
Outcome
The outcome was a series of speculative vehicle concepts and coordinated mobility solutions designed to strengthen disaster response and crisis logistics in 2036. Each proposal aimed to demonstrate how Volvo CE could extend its role beyond construction equipment by contributing to resilient, sustainable, and human-centred mobility systems. Final concepts were presented through team pitches, supported by slides, posters, and high-quality 3D visualisations, making a compelling case for further development and future implementation.
In collaboration with:
Front view of Volvo Base. This is Volvo Base equipped with a water purification system, battery storage, lighting, and communication systems. Autonomous multifunctional platform that allows refugees to escape radiant heat to the offshore and remain safe until rescue ship arrives.
Exploded view of Volvo Base modular platform:
01 Inflatable rescue raft that is easy to deploy when needed.
02 Burge platforms that can be easily connected.
03 Drone motors that move the system. Semiautonomous or remotecontrolled motor in collaboration with volvo penta.
04 Stabilising modular frame that can be used to attach ladders and lights for example.
05 Main technology in crisis cases includes water purifier tank and main battery. While not in use the battery can be slided inside of the tank.
Side view of Volvo Base
Transporting: System packed in standard cargo container, designed to be easily transported. Two of the basic configurations can be packed in standard cargo container.
Size: Scale of rescue shelter with 1800mm human for scale. The inflatable raft houses 4 people comfortably but can if needed give temporary shelter for 6-8 people.
How it works: When people arrive at the evacuation point platform is already preassembled to the shoreline. It can be deployed from water or ground. When people are on board it will search for a safe place far enough from heat and anchor there. System can also pick people who come later. Single rafts can be operated with same motors. It's also accessible from water. When rescue ship arrives people can board it from this platform.
Safe base …and you are safe. In this photo AI is used in manipulating render lighting and in making of the drone and editing humans in scene. Everything adjusted in photoshop afterwards.
