Oulu Automotive Cluster (OAC) has over 130 industry, 20 research and education, and 10 government organisations.
The Cluster is managed by BusinessOulu, the economic development organisation, City of Oulu, Finland. BusinessOulu’s mission is to promote vitality in the city of Oulu by building success potential for the entire region, its citizens, and companies. We are making a strong northern growth centre which will attract businesses, investments, new residents, and students.
Companies and researchers in Oulu have globally unique expertise in radio technologies, smart manufacturing, printed intelligence, cyber security, optoelectronics, embedded software, IoT solutions, and 6G research. The region has a strong heritage in engineering where wireless solutions and electronics have created a cornerstone for other technologies, such as machine learning and computer vision. OAC is internationally active and a member of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform.
SHARE
We share automotive industry knowledge and insights from automotive brands to cluster members.
MATCH
We match researchers with companies and other researchers to accelerate research, development, and innovation activities within the cluster. We also match RDI initiatives from our international cooperation partners.
FIND
We help cluster members find customers and cooperation partners through 1-on-1 introductions, pitching sessions, matchmaking events, delegation trips, and trade shows. We also help automotive brands, and their suppliers, discover new innovations to accelerate their development processes.
OAC MEMBER COMPANIES – offer stateof-the-art solutions that are utilised by world leading industry players such as Audi, BMW, Continental, Daimler, Ferrari, Geely Auto, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Lamborghini, Lotus, Mahle, Ponsse, Scania, SEAT, Volkswagen, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group.
Elektrobit is an award-winning and visionary global vendor of embedded and connected software products and services for the automotive industry. A leader in automotive software with over 35 years of serving the industry, Elektrobit’s software powers over five billion devices in more than 600 million vehicles and offers flexible, innovative solutions for car infrastructure software, connectivity & security, automated driving and related tools, and user experience. Elektrobit is a wholly-owned, independently-operated subsidiary of Continental. elektrobit.com
JOT Automation offers world-class test, production and custom automation solutions and equipment for smarter and more efficient manufacturing. With over 30 years of experience, the company offers industry-leading production solutions for assembly, testing, process and custom automation, from concept to creation and single equipment to complete turnkey solutions. The company supports global industry players with
rigorous testing applications, from PCB and connectivity testing to end-product testing for infotainment and other auxiliary systems. They also offer manufacturers automated assembly and process solutions for complex odd-form placement and routing applications. For the electric vehicle (EV) battery and energy storage industries, JOT Automation provides efficient, reliable and quick testing and assembly automation. References include e.g. Nokia, Continental Automotive, MAHLE, Panasonic Automotive and Siemens.
jotautomation.com
NOKIA – Oulu has been one of Nokia’s key locations for over 50 years, and Nokia operations in Oulu are often referred to as the ‘Home of Radio’. The Oulu site combines radio research, development, and manufacturing, with a focus on 5G base station products and software. Oulu also hosts Nokia’s flagship factory and has been chosen by World Economic Forum as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse, reflecting leadership and proven success in adopting and implementing future technologies at scale. Nokia actively cooperates with other companies and research institutes in the Oulu region. Nokia is also in the process of building a new smart campus in Oulu, expected to be ready in 2025.
nokia.com
Proventia provides solutions and services in the engine, machine, and vehicle industries to combat climate change and to solve the air pollution problem. Proventia develops and manufactures systems and components that reduce emissions and improve the energy efficiency of machines and vehicles. Proventia’s offering includes state-of-the-art emission control systems, thermal insulation solutions, and battery systems for machine electrification. In addition, Proventia Test Solutions offer innovative EVA test facilities for battery development and testing. Proventia’s business is built on caring about the future: the environment, and people. Sustainability is integrated into its strategy. proventia.com
Tactotek develops and licenses
Injection Molded Structural Electronics (IMSE®) technology that integrates printed circuitry and electronic components into thin, 3D, injectionmolded smart surfaces. Leading IMSE use cases include human-machine interfaces (HMI), connectivity, illumination, and electronic styling features for automotive, aviation, and other markets. IMSE outperforms conventional electronics manufacturing methods in sustainability. Benefiting from simulated design processes and reduced material use, IMSE-designed smart surfaces are considerably lighter in mass, leading to substantial lifetime greenhouse gas reductions. tactotek.com
OULU’S UNIQUE OFFERING TO AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
PRINTED INTELLIGENCE – Oulu is the home of printed intelligence, which is revolutionising the way in which the automotive industry is designing, developing, and manufacturing sustainable vehicles and electric vehicle batteries. PrintoCent Industry Cluster focuses on boosting the innovation and industrialisation of printed intelligence. The cluster is managed by VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, and includes over 40 industry member companies.
printocent.net
CONNECTIVITY – Oulu is a global hub for radio research, with the 6G Flagship Ecosystem promoting collaboration among researchers, ICT enterprises, and businesses to harness cutting-edge wireless technology. The University of Oulu’s 6G Flagship research programme pioneers advancements in future data networks and traffic through European projects. International research projects, networks, and testing environments on software-defined vehicles facilitate innovations on demanding applications. 6gflagship.com
INNOVATION, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING ENVIRONMENTS
Versatile innovation and testing environments support companies in innovating and testing before the market launch and solution updates.
NUVE-LAB enables research and development of power sources, transmission, and energy storage for sustainable development (2ZERO) vehicles and heavy machinery in cooperation with industry and research institutes. The NUVE-LAB development environment also has a Hardware in the Loop (HIL)/Vehicle In the Loop (VIL) simulation, presenting opportunities for the research and development of driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
oamk.fi/nuvelab
PrintoCent Pilot Factory, a worldclass development and manufacturing environment, offers unique roll-toroll pilot processing facilities and
experienced staff for high throughput manufacturing process development. The main development areas are printed electronics and diagnostics components, flexible electronics, and plastic and hybrid-integrated systems. printocent.net/printocent-pilot-factory
RadioPark Oulu will provide a complete solution for companies’ radio-based device and service development. It will offer a leading-edge connectivity service for your needs through a versatile partner ecosystem. Contact us to discuss your company needs and we’ll make you a concrete offer for a valueadding project.
ictoulu.fi/radiopark
OuluZone+ is a research, development, and innovation centre for autonomous and heavy utility vehicles. OuluZone+ provides a unique environment for various real life wireless based testing needs, including leading edge 5G network support.
ouluzoneplus.com
*) Company has solutions for utility vehicles customer segment, not passenger cars.
EV BATTERY ASSEMBLY, POWERTRAIN & BATTERY TESTING SOLUTIONS
Etteplan
Innokas
JOT Automation
Proventia
EV BATTERY DISMANTLING & RECYCLING
Akkuser
Probot
Tracegrow
GLAZING & DISPLAYS
Aikolon*
Lumineq
Optitune
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE & CONTROL
Detection
Technology
Finwe
Global Boiler Works
Gofore
Innokas
JOT Automation
LiTech
Profilence
Symbio
HMI- INFOTAINMENT, UI & UX DESIGN
Bittium
Creoir
Elektrobit
Etteplan
Gofore
Innokas
Lumineq
Profilence
PS Audio Design
Rightware
QT Company
Siili auto
Symbio
TactoTek
Visidon
INTERIOR DESIGN & LIGHTING
TactoTek
Teknoware
LAST MILE
Arctic Rides
Oucabikes
SledGo
LOGISTICS
Diffo Solutions*
Fleetbook*
Identoi
Lifthanger*
REPAIR & TEXTILES
Fabpatch
PRODUCTION
AUTOMATION
Augumenta
Cajo Technologies
Etteplan
Indalgo
JOT Automation
TactoTek
Unikie
SEMICONDUCTOR
CoreHW
Mediatek
Nokia
Nordic
Semiconductor
Rohm
Sony Semicon (IL)
Texas Instruments
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS & SENSORS
Aikolon*
Canatu
Delektre
Inbecam
Innokas
Meluta
Motherson (PKC Group)
New Cable Corporation
Optitune
PS Audio Design
Senfit
TactoTek
V2X COMMUNICATIONS
Kaitotek
Polar
Unikie
WELLBEING & COMFORT
Flexound
Neurosonic
Polar
Warming Surfaces
Company
OULU AUTOMOTIVE CLUSTER VALUE CHAIN PROVIDERS
This is an example of the OAC value chain providers. Other companies may exist that have not been yet included in this material.
Source: BusinessOulu, Economic Development Organisation, City of Oulu, Finland.
WELCOME TO OULU!
Oulu accommodates one of Europe’s most important communities for tech companies. A pioneering city for digitalisation, Oulu boasts around 60 years of expertise in wireless technology. Every day, close to 3 billion people globally use mobile technologies developed in Oulu.
Oulu is the most significant centre for business, culture and education in Arctic Europe. It is a region of over 270,000 inhabitants with the average of 39 years. Oulu is best known for its technological expertise, which makes it a globally significant R&D center in the Europe. Two universities, a young
population and events all year-round makes Oulu a vibrant city. As a university city Oulu attracts tens of big international conferences yearly.
The Oulu region has grown the fastest out of the Nordic city regions during the last 20 years.Considering Oulu’s availability of skilled workforce, status as a high-tech hotspot, excellent connectivity and increasing population, the city has an extremely positive future outlook. The growth is accelerated by the spectacular increase in business in the region.
ictoulu.fi | oulu.com businessfinland.com/why-finland in R&D investments in Finland, among the top in the EU
6G research centre in the world Among the best innovation & technology cities
1,000 ICT Companies
5,500 R&D Experts
25,000 High-Tech Jobs
Oulu, Finland
busiest airport in Finland, 50 minutes flight time to Helsinki
Population of 220 000
European Capital of Culture 2026
1 in 3 people with a university degree
CONTACTS
Heini Malm
Senior Advisor, Business Development
Spain Export Market
+358 40 773 8414 heini.malm@ businessoulu.com
Olli Lukkari Program Director, Operating Environment Development
