This was the National Autonomous Systems Congress '25

Drachten, April 2, 2025 - Full halls, vibrant discussions and technology in action: the first National Congress on Autonomous Systems (NCAS) brought together over 400 professionals in Drachten. Experts from business, government, education and science came together with one shared ambition: to accelerate the future of autonomous systems into reality. What once seemed like science fiction is already in action today, and that became visible on this day.

Autonomous buses, drones for inspection, agricultural robots and self-learning factory lines - during the congress it became abundantly clear that autonomous technology is already in full development and use. The program showed how far the Netherlands is in this transition, with speakers and demonstrations from three perspectives: Business, Science and Society.

"We have all managed to put 'autonomous systems' high on the priority list of the (high-tech) industry and of all those on the demand side who are concerned with solving difficult issues." - Hans Praat, organizer.

Even before the walk-in, the day began with an inspiring startup breakfast, where a select group of young companies and established players met. In an informal setting, entrepreneurs shared their vision and challenges in the field of autonomous applications. From innovative sensor technology to AI-driven robotics, the enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate was palpable. This component laid the groundwork for new connections and concrete follow-up conversations later in the day. Since keynote speaker Aaron Saunders also participated in this breakfast, it was a great opportunity for Dutch startups to engage in conversation and share vision.

The congress began with the welcome of Hans Praat, Joost Krebbekx, Jacquelien Scherpen (RUG) and Mayor Fred Veenstra, who each emphasized the importance of cooperation and innovation from their own perspective. Their words formed the prelude to a day in which technology, research and society came together.

Watch the aftermovie:

With these words Monika Hoekstra (NXTGEN Hightech) kicked off the congress. In her opening lecture she stressed the importance of daring to dream, but also to invest in key technologies such as Smart Factories and Smart Supply Chains. These form the backbone of future autonomous systems.

Following this, the three program lines started: Business, Science and Society.

The business track focused on the question: how do we bring innovative ideas into practice? With striking examples from agriculture, steel, circular, logistics and maritime sectors, it became clear how autonomous systems are already adding value:

In addition, two new EDIH NN clusters were presented, focused on autonomous green space management and materials handling - concrete steps towards large-scale application.

The science track offered a glimpse into the engine behind technological progress. Researchers from RUG, TNO and TU Delft, among others, shared their work on the foundations of autonomous technology:

"Our baby, the first National Congress on Autonomous Systems, has grown beyond our wildest expectations!" - Paris Avgeriou, organizer.

What does autonomy mean for society? That question was the focus of the society track, where topics such as digital sovereignty, ethics and employment prevailed. Experts discussed:

The announcement of the ELSA Lab (Ethical, Legal & Societal Aspects) for the tech industry underscored the growing focus on responsible autonomy.

"Proud to have been able to contribute to the society track. Nice that the ELSA lab for the tech industry is coming up!" - Mirjam, speaker society track.

An absolute highlight was the keynote by Aaron Saunders (CTO Boston Dynamics). In a riveting talk, he showed how humanoid robots are increasingly integrating into human-designed environments:

"We humans designed the world around us. Until we change that world, the fastest way to fit robots in is ... to make them as much like us as possible."

His presentation gave an intriguing insight into the future of human-machine cooperation.

Those who preferred to see technology with their own eyes came into their own at the demonstration plaza. Here it was all about seeing is believing: live demos of factory automation, precision agriculture and autonomous logistics.

The liveliness of the plaza reflected the practicality of the concepts discussed.

Thom Verwater of Batenburg Industrial Automation impressed with his talk on autonomous tomato pickers and smart weed control. With the launch of two new EDIH NN clusters, he also gave a glimpse into the future of sustainable agriculture.

Comments poured in on LinkedIn and other channels. The common thread? Wonder, inspiration and appreciation:

According to Mayor Fred Veenstra, the choice of Drachten as the congress location is no coincidence:

"Proud that Drachten was allowed to host this leading congress. It confirms our position as an innovative manufacturing city in the Northern Netherlands."

With partners such as AI Hub North Netherlands, the Drachten Innovation Cluster and RUG, the region showed that it not only develops technology, but also promotes cooperation between government, education and industry.

A powerful example is the announced establishment of INFINITECH, a new center for autonomous systems in the Northern Netherlands.

What started as an ambitious idea has become a national benchmark for autonomous systems. The congress not only put technological innovation on the map, but above all underscored the importance of collaboration, societal impact and vision.

For EDIH NN it is clear: this tastes like more. The Netherlands is on the eve of a new phase in autonomy - and the foundation was laid in Drachten.