After the National Congres Autonomous Systems, or NCAS’26 in Drachten, we honestly needed some time to find the right words, what a success it was! The combination of technical depth, concrete applications, and the energy from the ecosystem made this a particularly strong edition. The many reflections that have since been shared on LinkedIn from industry, research, and government underline this impression and confirm the relevance of the congress for the field.

International keynotes set the tone: reliability and real-world adoption

The substantive direction of the congress was strongly set in the plenary program.

The joint opening by Matthieu Gallas (Airbus) positioned autonomous systems directly in an operational context. From the defense domain, he showed that autonomy is no longer a future vision, but is already being applied in mission-critical systems. Topics such as human–machine teaming, AI-driven mission planning, and certification were prominently addressed, including their implications for civilian applications.

The keynote at the end of the day by Professor Shankar Sastry (UC Berkeley) was a true highlight. As a highly engaging speaker, he built upon what had been discussed earlier that day from an academic perspective. He addressed fundamental questions around reliability, safety, and trust in autonomous systems. It became clear that these aspects are decisive for large-scale adoption in practice, and that there are still substantial system and integration challenges to overcome.

Together, these contributions set the tone: the technology is there, but implementation requires robust, validated, and integrated systems.

Four tracks, one value chain: from building block to end application

The program was structured along four parallel tracks: Business, Science, Demo, and Impact, explicitly covering the full value chain.

This chain-oriented approach was also reflected in the contributions:

• AI and enabling technologies: NVIDIA demonstrated how compute, simulation, and digital twins accelerate the development and validation of autonomous systems
• Integration and machine building: companies such as Demcon and KUKA translated autonomy into product strategies and industrial applications
• Concrete applications: Fizyr demonstrated how vision AI is already being deployed operationally in logistics, while Picnic and UMCG illustrated its impact in distribution and healthcare respectively

This structure, from building block to end user, made the program consistently relevant for both technology providers and end users.

From proof-of-concept to scalable systems

What became clear during the day is that autonomous systems are in a clear transition phase. Across multiple sessions and discussions, the same picture emerged: the shift from proof-of-concept to scalable implementation has begun, but brings new complexity.

On the exhibition floor and in the demo track, this became tangible. Demonstrations showed how systems are becoming increasingly robust and better able to handle dynamic environments. At the same time, it was emphasized that integration, validation, and certification are the key bottlenecks toward large-scale deployment.

Contributions from, among others, ASML/TU/e (control systems), ESA (geodata), and various robotics research groups underlined that these challenges are deeply embedded in system architecture.

EEcosystem as a critical success factor

A recurring theme, both on stage and in conversations, was the importance of ecosystem development. Autonomous systems are inherently system innovations, requiring close collaboration between disciplines and organizations.

The congress explicitly brought this collaboration together: from AI companies and machine builders to end users and research institutions. This interaction was widely highlighted in participant reflections as one of the key outcomes of the day.

The widely shared conclusion: the technological foundation is in place, but acceleration toward application requires structured collaboration across the value chain.

Field reflections confirm momentum

The many post-event reflections show a remarkably consistent picture. There is broad recognition that autonomous systems are evolving from experimental technology into a new industrial standard.

At the same time, there is also a sense of urgency: organizations must now position themselves, invest, and collaborate to keep pace with this development. The congress therefore served not only as a knowledge platform, but also as a marker of the phase the field is currently entering.

NCAS’ 26 aftermovie

The NCAS’ 26 aftermovie is fresh out and can be viewed below. The video gives a strong impression of the day and captures the energy, content, and interactions of the congress. A moment to look back for those who attended, and an introduction for those who missed it.

Outlook: from momentum to implementation

The NCAS Congress 2026 makes it clear that the next phase has begun: from technological promise to large-scale implementation.

The conditions are clear: reliable systems, integrated value chains, and intensive collaboration. The challenge now lies in actually realizing this step.

We would like to thank all speakers, partners, and participants for their contribution to this edition. The congress underlines that progress in this domain is only possible through joint effort within the ecosystem.

We look forward to the next step.

Economic realities are forcing almost all industries to increase productivity and maintain competitiveness. Autonomous systems offer the key to this, through smart automation and AI that make processes radically more efficient. During NCAS’26, next April 2, it should become clear how to make the step from lab to successful application.

In order to become more productive and remain competitive, companies worldwide are putting massive bets on autonomous systems: systems that not only perform tasks, but also perceive, decide and act independently. So without human intervention.

From factories to ports and from distribution centers to critical infrastructure, autonomous solutions are rapidly gaining ground everywhere. The Netherlands plays a notable role in this development. Not merely as a customer, but especially as a developer and exporter.

Huge growth market

‘Autonomous systems are a huge growth market for the Netherlands,’ says Linco Nieuwenhuyzen, program director of Funding Landscape and National Technology Strategy (NTS) at ROM-Netherlands.’And we have a “right to play and chance to win” – you can develop and test it here together with the market and then go and sell it internationally. That combination of development and a test market sets the Netherlands apart from many other countries.’

Not for nothing is autonomous manufacturing one of the focus areas in the Regional Strengthening Plan National Technology Strategy (RV-NTS), the regional translation of national technology priorities into concrete value chains. After all, it combines multiple key technologies, including AI, robotics, sensor technology and photonics.

Above all, the urgency to accelerate is great. Due to an aging population, thirty percent of skilled workers are expected to disappear from the labor market in the next five years, while the influx from, for example, the intermediate vocational school (MBO) is declining. But labor market shortage is only one side of the story. Because perhaps even more important: in order to maintain competitiveness, structurally higher productivity is required. More output with fewer people is becoming the new standard, which is precisely why autonomous systems are no longer a technological choice but a strategic necessity.

Accelerate

‘That global focus on productivity is accelerating the development of autonomous systems,’ says Nieuwenhuyzen. ‘The value proposition is clear in almost all sectors: higher volumes, better quality and less labor. Companies in the maritime sector, for example, see that they can only remain competitive if they become 15 percent cheaper. That gives a huge push to work on it even more emphatically.’

To actually get from lab to successful application, chain parties need to know how to find each other, which is precisely why NCAS’26 will take place on April 2. This second edition of the National Autonomous Systems Congress will once again bring together developers, system integrators and (future) end users in Drachten, this time under the theme “From lab to Life”.The congress serves as a national benchmark where it becomes clear how and why autonomy is developing into a key technology for productivity, competitiveness and addressing societal challenges. What it is already enabling and where opportunities lie.

With contributions from Airbus and Demcon, there is a slight focus on defense during NCAS’26. Prompted by current geopolitical developments and defense’s forerunner role in the application of autonomous systems. ‘But that learning experience goes both ways,’ Nieuwenhuyzen emphasizes. ‘Many startups that have developed autonomous technology are now making the switch to defense. At the same time, defense can learn from sectors that have already made the transition to autonomous production. And other sectors can in turn learn from the speed with which defense is now implementing autonomous systems. There, it is not a nice to have, but a need to have.’

Higher plan

The pursuit of higher productivity is not a new phenomenon in the Dutch manufacturing industry. Ever since the 1980s, companies have been turning to automation and robotics to produce more efficiently. But autonomous systems are taking this to the next level. After all, unlike classical automation, autonomous systems are no longer dependent on pre-programmed instructions.

AI is the gamechanger, of course. Not because the technology is new, but because faster processors, larger memories and specialized AI chips now make it possible for machines to perceive their environment, recognize patterns and make decisions independently. AI has been around for decades, but is only now reaching a level where real-world applications are reliable, scalable and affordable. That practice is already in full view in the Netherlands.

Picnic and Philips

Take online supermarket Picnic, also present at NCAS’26, which is extensively integrating autonomous systems into its logistics and fulfillment centers. Not by simply purchasing technology, but by actively co-designing, testing and scaling it up itself. In doing so, the company is accelerating the development of new logistics processes and customer-oriented services.

Or look at Philips in Drachten, one of Europe’s smartest and best automated factories, where hundreds of robots support the production of shavers, with self-learning processes that predict failures and prevent downtime. The factory makes products that would normally come from China, but has remained competitive through the use of autonomous systems.

‘Picnic and Philips Drachten are renowned companies that are very visible because they serve the consumer market,’ says Nieuwenhuyzen. ‘But similar developments are also happening at companies that operate a bit more in the lee. The transition is broadly underway. It helps if their results also come out even more and are shared. When companies see what others are actually achieving, it inspires and makes the potential even more tangible.’

Hook up or drop out

That exchange of best practices is indeed of great value. Especially now that autonomy is shifting from a technological promise to an economic and social difference-maker. For companies that produce, the question is no longer whether they should deploy autonomous systems, but when their backlog will become unbridgeable. Or to put it another way: it’s hook or crook.

‘That is why an event like NCAS’26 is so important,’ emphasizes Nieuwenhuyzen, ‘as a meeting place and as a platform where relevant knowledge and experience are shared.Precisely because autonomy is not something you buy out of a catalog, but it does affect your entire business strategy, it is pre-eminently a theme about which you have to talk to each other and look at how competitive colleagues and experts approach it. I hope companies realize that they really need to get to grips with it.

The National Congress Autonomous Systems in Drachten brings together the entire value chain, from building blocks to a wide range of end users.

Autonomous systems are at a tipping point. What was developed primarily in research environments for many years is now rapidly finding its way into factories, hospitals, distribution centers, and critical infrastructure. According to the organizers of the National Congress Autonomous Systems (NCAS’26), taking place on April 2 in Drachten, autonomy is evolving from a technological promise into a driver of economic and societal impact.

The central theme of the congress — From Lab to Life — captures this transition. “Autonomous systems are rapidly evolving from experimental technology into a new industrial standard,” says Hans Praat, business developer at the Northern Netherlands Development Agency (NOM) and organizer of the congress. “The shift is visible: autonomy is becoming a key technology for productivity growth, competitiveness, and addressing societal challenges.”

The Entire Value Chain on One Stage

NCAS’26, the logical follow-up to the successful first edition held a year ago, aims not only to inspire but, above all, to connect. The congress therefore brings together the full value chain of autonomous technology: from building blocks such as AI chips and sensor technology to system integrators and end users applying the technology in practice. “Collaboration across the value chain is essential for the successful deployment of autonomous systems,” Praat explains.

This is reflected in the program, which is more international in scope than the term ‘national congress’ might suggest. Major technology providers such as NVIDIA and vision-AI specialist Fizyr will showcase the foundations on which autonomous systems are built. Machine builders and system integrators like Demcon and KUKA will demonstrate how traditional automation is evolving into intelligent, self-steering machines. Meanwhile, end users such as UMCG and online supermarket Picnic illustrate how autonomy is transforming real-world processes, from patient care to logistics.

Autonomous systems are now impacting virtually every sector: manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, energy, water management, and smart cities. The congress addresses this broad application landscape, with additional attention this year for defense and security. Not coincidentally, autonomous applications often lead the way in these domains and provide valuable lessons for civilian sectors.

Strategic Importance for the Netherlands

The plenary opening will be delivered by TNO CTO Christa Hooijer, who will outline the strategic importance of autonomy for the Netherlands and Europe. Autonomous systems are seen as a key technology within the so-called “Autonomy Economy,” where AI, sensors, and robotics converge in new products and services.

This will be followed by a keynote from Shankar Sastry (UC Berkeley), one of the pioneers of autonomous systems. His talk on reliable autonomous technology focuses on how safety, trust, and certification can be ensured when machines operate independently in complex environments. According to Praat, this touches the core of the current phase: “The transition from lab to real-world application requires not only technology, but also trust and clear frameworks. We are very proud to have a leading figure like Sastry share his insights.”

Building Blocks and Breakthroughs

The role of AI and chip technology will be prominently featured. NVIDIA will demonstrate how computing power, simulation, and digital twins accelerate the design and training of autonomous systems. At the same time, embedded AI enables real-time perception and decision-making, which is essential for safe deployment in dynamic environments.

Fizyr will illustrate how vision AI is already being applied in logistics and food processing. Through accurate object recognition, robots can independently sort and process products. These applications make it clear that autonomy is no longer a distant prospect, but a concrete product strategy for machine builders aiming to make their systems smarter and more flexible.

From Technology to Application

The congress also highlights that the real breakthrough is happening on the user side. In healthcare, UMCG expects that a significant portion of patient care can be supported by autonomous systems in the future, although this places high demands on safety and regulation. In retail, Picnic demonstrates how autonomous logistics and data-driven processes enable new business models.

Defense and security will also be addressed, with contributions from Airbus. In this domain, autonomous systems are already an operational reality, playing roles in reconnaissance, logistics, and cooperation between manned and unmanned systems. Lessons from this sector—particularly around reliability, certification, and human-machine collaboration—are considered highly relevant for civilian applications.

Autonomy as a Product Strategy

The common thread throughout the program is that autonomous systems are outgrowing the experimental phase. Companies are developing and integrating the technology, while users are increasingly confident in applying it. “AI building blocks, deep-tech innovation, and high-tech machine building are coming together in working solutions,” says Praat. “This leads not only to technological progress, but also to structural economic and societal returns.”

As a result, autonomy is emerging as a strategic pillar for industry—not only to improve efficiency, but also to address labor shortages, enhance sustainability, and develop new services. The congress in Drachten aims to show that the future of autonomous systems is no longer in the lab, but in real-world applications, and that collaboration across the value chain is crucial to accelerating this transition.

Anyone who wants to see how autonomous the Netherlands and Europe are becoming would do well to attend the event in Drachten on April 2. Tickets for the National Congress Autonomous Systems are now available.

The UC Berkeley pioneer will open NCAS’26 with a keynote on one of the hardest questions in tech: how autonomous systems can safely operate.

Autonomous systems are leaving the laboratory. Robots now assist surgeons, software steers vehicles, and intelligent systems increasingly manage industrial processes and infrastructure. But as artificial intelligence moves from controlled environments into messy real-world settings, one question becomes unavoidable: when do we trust a machine enough to let it act independently?

That question sits at the heart of Shankar Sastry’s keynote lecture at the Nationaal Congres Autonomous Systems 2026, which takes place on April 2 in Drachten. His talk, titled “From AI to Autonomy: Building Trustworthy Systems for the Real World,” addresses the technological and societal challenge that increasingly defines the next phase of AI: reliability.

Shankar Sastry

Sastry is well placed to address that challenge. Over several decades, the professor at the University of California, Berkeley has helped shape the scientific foundations behind cyber-physical systems, robotics, and autonomous technologies. His career traces the evolution from theoretical control systems to machines that interact directly with the physical world.

When intelligence meets reality

Artificial intelligence often appears effortless in demonstrations: models recognise images, predict patterns, or generate convincing text. But autonomy introduces a different level of complexity. An autonomous system must interpret uncertain sensor data, adapt to unpredictable environments and continue functioning safely even when something goes wrong.

In other words, autonomy requires more than intelligence. It requires engineering.

Sastry’s work has long focused on that intersection between algorithms and physical systems. His research spans embedded and autonomous software, robotics, computer vision, nonlinear control and hybrid systems: mathematical frameworks that describe systems combining digital logic with continuous physical behaviour.

That combination is exactly what defines modern autonomous machines: software making decisions while interacting with physical processes such as motion, forces, and energy.

At Berkeley, Sastry has also explored applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to robotic surgery and networked control systems. In those domains, the question is rarely whether an algorithm can perform a task. The real question is whether the system can do so reliably enough to be trusted with human lives, infrastructure, or critical operations.

From research to deployment

Sastry’s influence extends beyond academia. For several years, he served as Director of the Information Technology Office at DARPA, one of the world’s most influential research organizations for advanced technologies.

DARPA has historically played a pivotal role in pushing emerging technologies from theory toward practical deployment, particularly in areas such as networking, robotics and autonomous systems. Sastry’s time there exposed him to the operational challenges that arise when advanced technologies move beyond prototypes.

Later, he returned to Berkeley, where he served as chair of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences department and subsequently as Dean of Engineering. In those roles, he helped shape one of the world’s most influential ecosystems for robotics, AI, and cyber-physical systems research.

Throughout that career, one theme repeatedly surfaces: the importance of systems thinking. Autonomous technologies do not emerge from a single algorithm or component. They require integration of hardware, software, sensors, communication networks, and human operators.

Trust as the missing ingredient

That systems perspective explains the focus of Sastry’s keynote in Drachten. For years, the public discussion around AI has centred on capabilities: larger models, faster computation, more data. But the deployment of autonomous systems raises different questions. Can the system explain why it made a decision? Will it remain safe when sensors fail or conditions change? Can humans intervene when something unexpected happens?

Trust, in this sense, is not a philosophical concept but an engineering requirement.

In industrial robotics, for example, safety mechanisms determine whether humans can work alongside machines. In autonomous driving, trust depends on how reliably systems interpret complex traffic situations. In healthcare, it depends on whether clinicians understand how a system supports their decisions.

Without that trust, even technically impressive systems struggle to move beyond controlled pilot projects.

Why the discussion matters now

The theme of this year’s congress (“From Lab to Life”) reflects the broader shift happening in the autonomous systems field. Increasingly, companies and governments are not asking whether autonomy will become viable, but how it can be deployed responsibly and at scale.

That shift is particularly relevant for regions with strong manufacturing and high-tech systems industries. Autonomous technologies promise gains in productivity, safety, and efficiency, but only if systems are robust enough for everyday operations.

Events such as NCAS aim to connect research, industry, and policymakers around exactly that transition. Sastry’s keynote, therefore, serves as both a technical and strategic reflection. It highlights the gap between impressive AI demonstrations and the much harder task of building systems that operate safely in unpredictable environments.

The long road from AI to autonomy

For Sastry, the road from AI to autonomy has always been about more than software. It is about the discipline required to turn intelligence into reliable systems.

That involves mathematics, engineering, and testing… but also humility. Real-world systems inevitably encounter situations that designers did not anticipate. Building trustworthy autonomy means designing systems that can handle those moments safely.

As autonomous technologies move deeper into industry, healthcare and infrastructure, that challenge will only grow. Sastry’s message in Drachten is therefore likely to resonate far beyond the conference itself. The future of autonomous systems will not be decided solely by how intelligent machines become, but by whether society can trust them to act.

And that trust must be engineered.

Anyone who wants to see how autonomous the Netherlands and Europe are becoming would do well to be in Drachten on April 2, and can already purchase tickets for the National Congress on Autonomous Systems.