Volvo Penta rides softwave waves across Internet of Boats (IoB)
We might think of Volvo Group as a car manufacturer that adheres to enough robust build standards capable of standing up to a Swedish winter – and we still should – but we should also now think of Volvo as something of a software platform company.
The company’s Volvo Penta arm (the division that looks after industrial and marine applications) has taken the wraps off its new IPS Professional Platform, a technology and propulsion platform for superyachts and commercial marine vessels.
The Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform builds on the company’s existing Inboard Performance System (IPS) and Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) technology with enhancements for larger vessels.
Helm-to-propeller
According to Volvo, the IPS Professional Platform is the next evolution of Volvo Penta’s integrated ‘helm-to-propeller’ experience, designed to deliver comfort, performance and sustainability for professional vessels and super yachts.
The platform enables a vessel to have up to eight power sources and includes matched software, services and support, all integrated via the company’s proprietary EVC technology.
Superyacht decarbonisation
Commercially available in 2025, the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform was developed with ease of operation, versatility and efficiency in mind. It includes a new concept in marine propulsion design built on the Volvo Penta IPS system and developed for use with dual power inputs.
“Our aim has long been the relentless pursuit of innovation. We are absolutely focused on delivering sustainable solutions that create an exceptional experience for our customers. Building on the success of the legendary Volvo Penta IPS system, this new Professional Platform will also provide new options for energy efficiency and aid in efforts to achieve decarbonisation at sea in marine industries,” said Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta Marine. “We see this as a major step towards decarbonisation in superyachts and commercial vessels between 25-55 metres.”
Volvo Penta’s dual power input design is supported by a smart Eco Mode feature that will automatically manage and optimise the use of power based on real-time needs during operation. Eco Mode optimises fuel consumption and engine running hours. Approximately 50% of the time, half of the power sources will be on standby.
Internet of Boats
If we think of the above function as an instance of software development intelligence – perhaps even one that might reside inside the Internet of Boats (IoB) – then we can see how this gives the potential to operate a vessel with new levels of efficiency and leads to extended service and maintenance intervals.
The Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform is designed to make operations easier, safer and more enjoyable for even the most seasoned professional.
Features like Volvo Penta Assisted Docking, Dynamic Positioning and Volvo Penta’s professional-level Glass Cockpit helm display, make manual operation easier. The system’s new design and dual power inputs unlock a range of possibilities for managing the power to the water in the most efficient way possible, increasing confidence and trust for every level of operator.
It’s hard to think of industrial and large-scale professional luxury marine systems and the boats (sorry, vessels) that run on them as software platform landing zones, but they indeed are and this is very much a part of the way the IoT extends outwards now for embedded software developer and those that seek to work with high-grade equipment systems.
Plus it’s Volvo, so you probably get a crispbread, some pickled herring and a touch of Abba – what’s not to like?
