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News Allert; Volvo Car Group’s first self-driving Autopilot cars test on public roads around Gothenburg
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media.volvocars.com/ca | volvocars.com/ca |
ID: 145619
Volvo Car Group’s groundbreaking project ‘Drive Me’ – featuring 100 self-driving Volvos on public roads in everyday driving conditions – is moving forward rapidly. The first test cars are already rolling around the Swedish city of Gothenburg and the sophisticated Autopilot technology is performing well.
“The test cars are now able to handle lane following, speed adaption and merging traffic all by themselves. This is an important step towards our aim that the final ‘Drive Me’ cars will be able to drive the whole test route in highly autonomous mode. The technology, which will be called Autopilot, enables the driver to hand over the driving to the vehicle, which takes care of all driving functions,” says Erik Coelingh, Technical Specialist at Volvo Car Group.
What makes the ‘Drive Me’ project unique is that it involves all the key players: legislators, transport authorities, a major city, a vehicle manufacturer and real customers. The customers will drive the 100 cars in everyday driving conditions on approximately 50 kilometres of selected roads in and around Gothenburg. These roads are typical commuter arteries, including motorway conditions and frequent congestion.
“That Volvo Cars’ hometown Gothenburg becomes the world’s first arena for self-driving cars in everyday driving conditions demonstrates both our technological leadership and Sweden’s dedication to pioneering the integration of self-driving vehicles,” says Erik Coelingh.
Joint initiative
‘Drive Me – Self-driving cars for sustainable mobility’ is a joint initiative between Volvo Car Group, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park and the City of Gothenburg. The Swedish Government is endorsing the project.
“This public pilot will provide us with a valuable insight into the societal benefits of making autonomous vehicles a natural part of the traffic environment. Our smart vehicles are a key part of the solution, but a broad societal approach is vital to offer sustainable personal mobility in the future. This unique cross-functional co-operation is the key to a successful implementation of self-driving vehicles,” says Erik Coelingh.
Volvo Car Group initiates Scandinavian pilot using cloud-based communication to make driving safer
Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars), the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) are joining forces in a pilot project in which road friction information from individual cars is shared within a cloud-based system.
The real-time data about slippery patches on the road are used to warn vehicles nearby, at the same time as it contributes to making winter road maintenance more efficient.
“The pilot is one of the first practical examples of the way communication between vehicles over the mobile network enables vehicles to ‘speak’ to each other and with the traffic environment. This can contribute to making traffic safer,” says Erik Israelsson, Project Leader Cooperative ITS (Intelligent Transport System) at Volvo Cars.
“We have 50 test cars on the roads, and next winter the fleet will grow considerably. Our aim is to make the technology available for our customers within a few years,” he adds.
Using the mobile network
When the Volvo test car detects an icy or slippery road patch, the information is transmitted to Volvo Cars’ database via the mobile phone network. An instant warning is transmitted to other vehicles that are approaching the slippery area, making it possible for the drivers to take immediate action to avoid a critical situation.
A slippery road warning on the instrument cluster alerts the driver. The application in the vehicle will be designed to adapt the driver warning to match the severity level based on the vehicle speed and the present road conditions.
Improved winter road maintenance
The information about the icy patch is also sent to the road administrator as a complement to existing measurement stations along the road. The data can help the road administrator and their contracted entrepreneurs to better plan and execute winter road maintenance and quickly address changed conditions.
“When the road administrator has access to information from a large number of cars, the data can be used to make winter road maintenance more efficient. The information could help to improve road safety further for all road users. This could also reduce the use of salt when not needed and minimize the environmental impact,” says Erik Israelsson.
Volvo Cars recognizes that the maintained integrity of end-users is an important aspect of the system. The information shared with the road administrator will not include data of unique vehicles. The aggregated information is used solely to describe the present status of the road network.
Ambitious connectivity strategy
Volvo Cars strategically invests in and initiates partnerships to create cloud-based solutions, and the slippery road warning is the first safety feature in the Volvo cloud. The development of sophisticated communication via the mobile network is part of the company’s aim to offer customers a fully connected experience.
“This is only the beginning. In the future we will have increased exchange of vital information between vehicles,” says Erik Israelsson. “There is considerable potential in this area, including safer traffic, a more comfortable drive and an improved traffic flow.”
“The strategic focus on connectivity within our new Scalable Product Architecture paves the way for more cloud-based safety solutions. This will bring us closer to our safety vision that nobody should die or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020,” concludes Erik Israelsson.
A Canadian – Swedish success story from Renteknik group
Renteknik Group Inc.
Renteknik Group was founded in 2011 by Darren Cooper, Colette Cooper and Lars-Eric Sjoberg. Renteknik which means “Clean Technology” in Swedish is a private company based in Burlington, Ontario Canada. Renteknik’s management team has experience in a wide range of areas including engineering, design, consulting, project management, construction, distribution and manufacturing. Darren, Colette and Lars-Eric have grown Renteknik and attained a prominent standing in the energy efficiency/management industry and continue to build a strong team of professionals that have both the knowledge and commitment to make Renteknik a success.
Renteknik Group Inc. is a provider of Engineering, Energy Efficiency and Environmental Solutions. Renteknik uses Best Practices, providing energy engineering, building and system commissioning, energy auditing services, energy management and systems design and cost-effective energy performance analyzing to commercial and institutional as well as multi-residential customers throughout Ontario.
Target Markets include Hospitals, Arenas, Recreational Complexes, Retail Stores, Long Term Care Facilities, Multi-Residential Units, Offices and Process Cooling Facilities.
Renteknik has a minor focus on the integration of existing Renewable Technologies (Thermal Heating and Solar Air Conditioning) with conventional technologies in educational/research environments.
Renteknik is working with government entities, utilities, municipalities, industry and leading educational institutions. These include the OPA, Toronto Hydro, Horizon Utilities, Burlington Hydro, Oakville Hydro, Sobeys, City of Burlington, City of Hamilton, CityHousing Hamilton, Sheridan College, Centennial College, Sick Kids Hospital, North York General and Hamilton Spectator.
Services
Renteknik provides the following services:
- Energy Efficiency Engineering
- Commission of Systems and Buildings
- Systems Development and Design
- Energy Management, Quality and Metering
- Energy Audits
- R&D Support
- Project Management
Distribution
Renteknik’s E3 Supply and Product department is a Key Supplier of:
- ClimaCheck – Performance Analyzing Tool for HVAC and Refrigeration Systems
- Circutor – Energy Management Systems,
- Kingspan Solar – Solar Thermal and Solar Wind products
- Kamstrup – Sub-metering of Heating & Cooling
A Canadian Swedish Success Story
Lars, who has a Swedish background and has been active on the board of the Swedish Canadian Chamber of Commerce, was initially introduced to Klas Berglöf, the President and Founder of ClimaCheck Sweden AB, a Swedish company located in Nacka outside Stockholm, at the Swedish Trade Office in Toronto.
Through CanNord 2011 hosted by the Swedish Canadian Chamber of Commerce Darren, Colette and Lars were given the unique opportunity to meet with Klas on a more in depth basis to discuss business opportunities.
Renteknik’s experience developing markets for other energy related innovative technologies and their network of contacts in the HVAC and building industry provided the perfect opportunity to introduce ClimaCheck’s Energy Performance Analyzer into the Canadian Market.
Today Renteknik Group is the sole distributor of ClimaCheck in Canada and is also looking to expand into some states in the US in the near future.
The ClimaCheck Performance Analyzer, manufactured in Sweden, uses state-of-the-art methodology for “in field” energy performance analysis of all types and sizes of Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Systems to help reduce peak cooling loads, increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and benefit the environment.
The ClimaCheck solution analyzes collected data and can immediately give a complete picture to the engineer of how the System is working and what adjustments or upgrades can be done to increase energy efficiency. As part of Renteknik’s Energy Efficiency Solution, ClimaCheck is rapidly becoming Canada’s leading tool for commission, re-commission, trouble shooting and maintenance of Refrigeration Systems, Air-Conditioners, Chillers, Air Handling Units and Heat Pumps.
Through optimization using the ClimaCheck tools and processes Renteknik has typically found 10 – 30% savings in the electricity usage for Refrigeration / Cooling Systems usually without any capital expenditures.
In 2011 ClimaCheck was awarded the World Wildlife Fund Climate Solver Award for the technologies contribution to Green House Gas (GHG) reduction globally. Renteknik has installed over 30 permanent ClimaCheck Systems in hospitals, ice-rinks, municipal buildings, condo buildings, hotels, supermarkets, data centres, and recreational facilities and is proud of its achievements in both energy savings and positive environmental impact. This is a great success story for the partnering of ClimaCheck in Sweden and Renteknik in Canada.
Please contact for more information.
Darren A. Cooper, LEED® AP, CBCP, P.Eng.
President
Renteknik Group Inc.
3228 South Service Road, Suite 301
Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7N 3H8
Featured Member: GP Wealth Management Corporation – Special offer to all SCCC members

(from left to right) Louis Aguiar, Jyoti Mistry, Serge Vaillancourt, George Aguiar, Johnny Spinu, Ingela Baker and Michael Ezeard.
About Us
GP Wealth Management Corporation (GPWM), a member of the GP Group of Companies, is a growing, Canadian owned wealth management firm. With our Head Office located in Etobicoke, Ontario, we’ve been providing Canadians with quality advice and financial planning services through our network of independent financial advisers for over 25 years.
Through our unique programs such as the Signature Service Program and Personal Advisory Service, we continually monitor our clients’ portfolios to protect their assets while maximizing opportunities for growth.
When you partner with GP Wealth Management you will receive the personal attention of a financial adviser who will create and execute a customized financial plan designed to meet your current needs and provide for your future.
That’s our commitment to you.
To find out more, visit us online at www.gpwealth.ca
Special Offer to all SCCC members.
Interested in a second opinion? Get a complimentary review of your investment accounts. If you decide to transfer your accounts to GP Wealth Management, we will pay you a transfer bonus of $250.00 into your account. Contact us today at 1-800-608-7707 Ext 45 for more details.
International Women’s Week, with Premier Kathleen Wynne

The Honorable Teresa Piruzza, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. The Hon. Premier Kathleen Wynne also spoke at the event as did Uzma Shakir, Director, Office of Equity Diversification and Human Rights.
This year’s theme
Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2014 is:
Strong Women. Strong Canada.
Canadian Women – Creating Jobs, one Business at a time.
SCCC’s, Marie Larsson and Ingela Baker, had the pleasure of attending the International Women’s Week celebration event at Queen’s Park hosted by The Honorable Teresa Piruzza, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. Regardless of ones’ political view, the speeches were inspiring and empowering – to say the least”.
Women’s Day in Europe [Read more here…]
2013 Recap of Events.

2013-01-14: Luncheon discussion, together with a Swedish Parliament delegation, Swedish Institute, Embassy of Sweden, Honorary Council of Toronto, Business Sweden and representatives from the Swedish Canadian business community.

2013-01-14 The opening of The Raoul Wallenberg exhibit, hosted by Toronto Reference Library.

2013-01-31 Joint effort for brand”Sweden” from left to right Honorary Council Lars Henriksson, Lennart(Len) P. Kleine incoming Chair SCCC,Swedish Ambassador to Canada, Teppo Taurianen and Kristofer Fröjd, Market Unit Manager Business Sweden-The Swedish Trade & Invest Council.

2013-02-05 We joined our German and EUCCAN (European Chambers of Commerce in Canada) colleagues New Year’s party at St Lawrence
Left to right. Lennart (Len) P. Kleine SCCC , Tuula Kivinen Director of EUCCAN, Milo Vassallo Honorary Member EUCCAN.

2013-02-20 “Global Cities: Revitalization versus Redevelopment. The future of Toronto’s Waterfront”
Ms. Marisa Piattelli will discuss the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront – the largest urban revitalization project in North America and one of the largest in the world.

2013-02-21 Board Meeting
Incoming Chairman Len Kleine, Resigning Chairman Erik Thorsrud, Vice-Chair Roy Lizzi

2013-03-05 VIP invitation On behalf of Maurizio Cellini, Head of the Economic and Commercial Affairs Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Canada

2013-03-21 Marie Larsson with Ilona Manning
Senior Sales Manager Associations, Svenska Mässan Göteborg,

2013-04-01– Planning meeting for Lucia at Fairmont Royal York Hotel with Carole Milic, Keith McCauley, Marie Larsson and Lennart Kleine

2013-04-04 European Union on the Edge: True Political Union or Disintegration, Breakfast seminar with Jürgen
CREUTZMANN, European Parliament
and EUCCAN Bord of Directors.

2013-04-16 Hammarby-Sjöstad-Low-Carbon-Presentation at Uof T
Presenter Erik Freudenthal Hon. Konsul Lars Henriksson, E.A.R Architects Graemer Stewart
2013 05 16: Round Table Discussion and Europe Day with Minister Fast & CETA update.
Front: Mr Corrado Paina, ICCT- Mr.Christian Frayssignes, BCBC- Ms. Marie Larsson, SCCC- Honorable Ed Fast-Ms. Yvonne Denz CGCIC
Back: President of EUCCAN, Mr.Thomas Beck CGCIC- Mr. Anders Fisker, DCCC- Dr. Robert Luck, ACGCS- Mr. Stephen Klauss CPCCT Mr. Norman Morris BCCTC

2013-06-06 : Swedish National Day Celebration at the Honorary Council, Lars Henriksson private residence Hon. Council Lars Henriksson with wife Carol and Claes Fredriksson Swedish Press Kristofer Frojd Business Sweden.

2013-06-07: Honorary Membership Plaques presented to Volvo at Robert Motors SCCC Chairman Len Kleine with Sales Manager, Gary Sodoski and General Manager, Rory O’Connor at Robert Motors www.robertvolvo.com

2013-06-07: Honorary Membership Plaques presented to Robert J McMillan President of Volvo Mississauga www.volvoofmississauga.com

2013-06-07: Honorary Membership Plaques presented to President John Martins at Volvo of Oakville www.volvoofoakville.com and Volvo Hamilton www.volvohamilton.com

2013-06-10: SWEA’s Jenny Lind Concert
Soprano Magdalena Risberg accompanied by David Huang on Piano performed works by, Peterson-Berger, Grieg, Sibelius, Schubert, Ravel and more to an enthusiastic audience.

Hon. Council Lars Henriksson, David Huang, Magdalena Risberg and Sweden’s Ambassador to Canada, Teppo Tauriainen

2013-06-17: EUCCAN (European Chambers of Commerce in Canada ) – Board Meeting and AGM. Mr. Daniel Correia TD Waterhouse, Ms. Marie Larsson SCCC and Mr. Milo Vassallo, Honorary Member EUCCAN

2013-06- 19: A working Lunch with Minister of Citizenship and Immigration ( Hon. Michael Coteau) & Ontario”s Ethnic Chambers of Commerce.
The purpose of this meeting was to consult on immigration matter specifically the The Expression of Interest Model (EOI) Ontario’s Ethnic Chambers of Commerce.
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Hon. Michael Coteau MPP ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Mr. Allan O’Dette President & CEO Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Robert Hardt Senior vice president Industry sector SIEMENS at the Press Conference.
2013-06-19: The Young Professionals Focus Group have their first meeting at the Distillery District
The SCCC is held a small focus group to assess what young professionals would like to see as a members of the Chamber. Rebecka Högdahl, Hiral Amin and Aaron Shapland
2013-07-01 Barbershop event in Scarborough
Two barbershop groups from Sweden recently took part in the International Barbershop Championships in Toronto. The Swedish Champions from 2012, Ringmasters and Lemon Squeezy were in Toronto to defend their titles from Portland last year. The Canada Day event held in Scarborough, Toronto was well attended and the enthusiasm for this year contest was high. Fun to see that Barbershop is gaining grounds with the younger generation….
Lemon Squeezy

2013-07-11: Volvo of Oakville & Hamilton sponsoring the the week long #Volvo #GHYRA #Regatta Brad Painter Volvo Cars of Canada, John Martins with wife Silvia, Volvo Of Oakville/Hamilton, SCCC Chairman Len Kleine and Hon. Council Lars Henriksson

2013-07-27: IKEA Vaughan 10 Year Celebration Ms. Sandra Yeung-Racco (Ward 4 Councillor, City of Vaughan); Mr. David Brady (Store Manager IKEA Vaughan); Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua (Mayor, City of Vaughan); Ms. Marilyn Lafrate (Councillor, Ward 1, City of Vaughan); Ms. Deb Schulte (Regional Councillor, City of Vaughan)

2013-08-29 Volvo Villa and Volvo Unionville – Hon. Platinum Members. Chairman Len Kleine, Owner Pauline Chung, General Manager Donald Robidas
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2013-09-26 Young Professionals presentation to the SCCC Board.
Ingela Baker, Agata Leszkiewicz, Rebecka Högdahl, Aaron Shapland, George Preger, Axel Kindbom2013-10-07: Swedish Government Delegation, on official business. Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson, Anne Marie Broden, Annicka Engblom, Boriana Åberg, Henrik Ripa
2013-10.15: PUB Night with UK and Scandinavian Chambers PUB Night with UK and Scandinavian Chambers: Co Host from the Danish Chamber, Anders Fisker (furthest right) making sure a good time was had by all.

2013-10-18 – Robert Sloan, Domenic Porporo and Mario Porporo, from DOM International Limited, receiving their SCCC Platinum Membership Plaque.

2013-10-21 – EUCCAN – Executive meeting President of EUCCAN, Mr.Thomas Beck CGCIC- Mr. Stephen Klauss CPCCT Mr. Corrado Paina ICCO

2013-10-21-NCCGT-Debriefing-meeting Anders Fisker DCCC, Len Kleine SCCC, Johanna Tarvainen CFCC and Jordan Jacobs Club Link


Hon Consul Lars Henriksson, Håkan Söderholm TetraPak, Mark Engelen Vovo Cars Canada, SCCC Chaiman Len Kleine,Sweden’s Ambassador to Canada Teppo Tauriainen, Joao.Ricciarelli SKF

2013-11-13 Board Meeting at 2 Bloor Street West. George Preger, Agata Leszkiexicz. Roy Lizzi, Len Kleine,Ingela Baker,Axel Kindbom

2013-11-24 EUCCAN-EU-Ambassador.The Euccan reception welcoming the new Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, H.E. Mme Marie-Anne Coninsx celebrated the October 18th signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) deal between Canada and the European Union.

2013-11-14 EUFF opening reception Marianne Fisker, Marie larsson,Gisela McKay,Anders Fisker, Idalia Obregon with visiting mom.

2013-12-06 Lucia
Hon Consul. Lars Henriksson, Swedens Ambassador to Canada Teppo Tauriainen,Pastor Anna Runesson, SCCC Chairman Len Kleine
RSVP: SCCC AGM March 20th 2014
We cordially invite all members of the Swedish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Board to attend our Annual General Meeting on March 20, 2014.
If you have already registered, please click here and enter your password to access the supporting documents.
Please RSVP before the end of March 18th.(extended one day)
All members are invited to vote and attend and we’d love you to come along.
Proxies
If you are unable to attend the meeting you’re strongly encouraged to Proxy your vote. To proxy your vote please email your name plus the name of your proxy info@sccc.ca by end of the day March 18th
Here is the schedule for the meetings:
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Board Meeting
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Annual General Meeting
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm: Explore SKF Solutions Factory
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at SKF Canada Limited, 40 Executive Court, Scarborough, ON (see map).
Refreshments will be provided.
After the AGM, members will have the exclusive opportunity to explore the new SKF Solutions Factory facility (see video) to learn about the latest in knowledge transfer tools and how they can help customers get fast answers to their individual questions and solve their business problems. Whether your business is in the manufacturing sector or not, you will be fascinated to learn how SKF has implemented a knowledge base system to keep track of past projects/solutions and make them readily available to other customers so that they can solve their issues quickly and efficiently. [Read more here…]
Please RSVP by March 17th, 2014.Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@sccc.ca or 416.925.8661.