Dutch Congress Brings Autonomous Systems from Lab to Real-World Deployment
Drachten, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
The National Congress Autonomous Systems in Drachten demonstrates how autonomous technologies have evolved from experimental research to commercial reality across multiple industries. Major companies like NVIDIA, Picnic, and UMCG will showcase real-world applications spanning healthcare, logistics, and defense at the April 2026 event, highlighting the Netherlands’ strategic push to lead Europe’s autonomy economy through comprehensive value chain collaboration.
From Experimental Research to Commercial Reality
The transformation of autonomous systems from laboratory concepts to market-ready solutions represents one of the most significant technological shifts in recent years. Hans Praat, from the Northern Netherlands Development Agency (NOM) and organizer of the congress, emphasizes this evolution: “Autonomous systems are rapidly evolving from experimental technology into a new industrial standard” [1]. This transition is particularly evident in the Netherlands, where autonomous technologies are now being deployed across factories, hospitals, distribution centers, and critical infrastructure [2]. The National Congress Autonomous Systems (NCAS’26), scheduled for April 2, 2026, in Drachten, serves as a comprehensive showcase of this technological maturation [1][2].
Strategic Value Chain Integration
The congress deliberately brings together the entire autonomous technology ecosystem, connecting AI chip manufacturers, sensor technology developers, system integrators, and end-users in a single venue [1][2]. This comprehensive approach reflects the industry’s recognition that successful autonomous system deployment requires collaboration across the complete value chain. Praat notes that “successful deployment of autonomous systems requires collaboration across the entire value chain” and that “the step from lab to real-world deployment requires not only technology, but also trust and clear frameworks” [1]. The event’s central theme, “From Lab to Life,” underscores this focus on practical implementation rather than theoretical possibilities [2].
Industry Leaders Demonstrate Real-World Applications
Major technology and healthcare companies will present concrete applications of autonomous systems at the April 2026 congress. NVIDIA will demonstrate how computing power, simulation, and digital twins accelerate the design and training of autonomous systems [1][2]. Healthcare applications will be represented by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), which indicates that autonomous systems could support a large portion of patient care in the future [2]. In the logistics sector, Picnic will showcase how autonomous logistics and data-driven processes enable new business models, while Fizyr will illustrate the application of vision-AI in logistics and food processing [2]. Defense applications will be covered by Airbus, which will contribute insights on the role of autonomous systems in defense and security, highlighting their use in reconnaissance, logistics, and human-machine collaboration [2].
Strategic Importance for European Competitiveness
The congress will feature high-level strategic discussions about the importance of autonomous systems for Netherlands and European economic competitiveness. TNO Chief Technology Officer Christa Hooijer will outline the strategic importance of autonomy for the Netherlands and Europe [1][2]. Additionally, Shankar Sastry from UC Berkeley will deliver a keynote address on safety, trust, and certification of autonomous systems, addressing critical concerns about reliable autonomous technology deployment [1][2]. The event reflects broader recognition that autonomous systems are considered a key technology for the emerging “Autonomy Economy” [2]. As Praat explains, “AI building blocks, deep-tech innovation and high-tech mechanical engineering come together in working solutions. This creates not only technological progress, but also structural economic and social returns” [2].