Industry: Automotive / electrification Client: Tier 1 automotive supplier, Sweden Service: Consulting and resource support Duration: 9 months Team size: 2 senior Hislanders
The challenge
A leading Nordic automotive supplier needed to accelerate development of its next-generation battery management system (BMS) for electric vehicles. Their in-house team was heavily loaded across several projects, and they needed experienced embedded-systems engineers who could integrate seamlessly and deliver fast. The pressure for a short time to market was intense, with major OEM customers waiting for the new BMS technology.
Hisland’s approach
We deployed two senior Hislanders with deep expertise in:
- Embedded C/C++ and real-time operating systems (RTOS)
- Automotive safety standards (ISO 26262 ASIL-D)
- Battery management algorithms and state-of-charge estimation
- Proactive problem-solving and cross-cultural communication
Our consultants did not just carry out tasks — they became integrated team members, took part in architecture discussions, mentored junior engineers and identified risks before they became problems.
The solution delivered
- Weeks 1–2: Rapid onboarding and integration with the existing team
- Months 1–3: Development of core BMS monitoring algorithms
- Months 4–6: Implementation and validation of safety-critical functions
- Months 7–9: System integration, testing and production-launch support
Key contributions:
- Developed a state-of-charge (SOC) estimation algorithm with over 98% accuracy
- Introduced a cell-balancing strategy that reduced charging time by 15%
- Proactively identified and resolved over 15 potential safety issues
- Created comprehensive technical documentation
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and accelerated their skills development
Results
- 3 months faster to market than originally planned
- Zero critical bugs in the production launch
- 15% improved charging efficiency through optimised algorithms
- The client extended the engagement for the next-generation platform
- 2 junior engineers trained to take over after the Hislanders were phased out
- Over €500,000 in savings compared with hiring permanent senior engineers
The Hislanders were not just consultants — they became part of our family. Their technical skill was excellent, but what truly impressed us was their proactive attitude and their ability to see the whole picture. They identified problems we hadn’t even considered yet, and their mentoring of our junior team created lasting value far beyond the project.
— Lars Andersson, Head of Engineering, Tier 1 automotive supplier
Technologies used: Embedded C/C++, FreeRTOS, CAN bus, ISO 26262, MATLAB/Simulink, Vector CANoe, JIRA, Git.