
National Autonomous Systems 2025 Congress with keynote by Aaron Saunders, CTO Boston Dynamics
Activity
National Autonomous Systems 2025 Congress with keynote by Aaron Saunders, CTO Boston Dynamics
Entrance fee: € 175,-

Autonomous systems play a key role in the future of our economy and society. From the medical sector to manufacturing, from agriculture to energy supply, distribution, mobility and the living environment – everywhere we see how autonomously operating technologies tackle more complex challenges. They make our work more efficient, more sustainable and less labor-intensive.
Are we on the eve of the Autonomy Economy?
Users are excited and can't wait, technology providers are seizing the opportunity to develop more content and strengthen their position as a solution provider. The Netherlands seems well positioned to become a forerunner in the Autonomy Economy.
During the first National Congress Autonomous Systems we bring together users, technology suppliers, companies, scientists and policy makers to discover the possibilities of autonomous systems and how we can use them responsibly and effectively.
Discover how humanoid robots are transforming healthcare, how smart factories are redefining manufacturing processes, how autonomous shipping is revolutionizing logistics, and how autonomous systems are optimizing the management of public space
The National Congress Autonomous Systems will take place on April 2, 2025 at the De Lawei Theater in DrachtenIn addition to a plenary program and demonstration square, there are three tracks: for industry, science and society.
Keynote by Aaron Saunders, CTO Boston Dynamics
American Boston Dynamics is conquering the world with its groundbreaking humanoid mobile robotics, such as the Spot, Stretch and Atlas. Chief Technology Officer Aaron Saunders will share his vision on the future of autonomous systems and how these technologies are transforming our world.
Program
Walk-in & Opening
09:00 – 09:30 | Walk-in |
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome by Jacquelien Scherpen (Rector Magnificus RUG) and Fred Veenstra (Mayor of Drachten). |
09:45 – 10:10 | Opening lecture by Monika Hoekstra, Managing Director NXTGEN Hightech. |
Industry – Autonomous Solutions Redefining the Game
10:15 – 10:45 | Lely – Sergio Ooijens |
10:45 – 11:15 | 24/7 Tailorsteel – Carl Berlo |
11:15 – 11:45 | Avular – Albert Maas |
11:45 – 13:00 | Lunch & Expo |
13:00 – 13:35 | Batenburg Bones – Thom Verwater |
13:35 – 14:15 | Bollegraaf – Edmund Tenfelde |
14:15 – 14:30 | Short break |
14:30 – 15:10 | Vanderlande – Frank van Dijck |
15:10 – 15:40 | Seafar – Louis Robert Cool |
Science – Next Generation in Autonomous Systems
10:15 – 11:00 | BACK – Prof. Bayu Jayawardhana |
11:00 – 11:45 | TU Eindhoven – Prof. Tom Oomen |
11:45 – 13:00 | Lunch & Expo |
13:00 – 13:50 | BACK – Prof. Ming Cao |
13:50 – 14:30 | University of Bremen – Prof. Udo Frese |
14:30 – 15:20 | Tu Delft – Prof. Javier Alonso-Mora |
15:20 – 16:00 | University of Twente – Özlem Durmaz |
Society – Autonomy in Balance: Ethics & Legislation
10:15 – 10:55 | Qbuzz – Michel van der Mark |
10:55 – 11:35 | UMCG – Mirjam Plantinga |
11:45 – 13:00 | Lunch & Expo |
13:00 – 13:40 | AON – Evert-Jeen van der Meer |
13:40 – 14:15 | BACK – Christos Emmanouilidis |
14:15 – 14:30 | Short break |
14:30 – 15:10 | CNV – Piet Fortuin |
15:10 – 15:50 | NL AI Coalition |
Keynote
16:00 – 16:45 | Aaron Saunders: Shaping the Future of Humanoid Robotics and Their Transformative Impact |
Closing & Networking Reception
16:45 | Closing and networking reception |
🎫 Tickets
Ticket sales have started! Space is limited. The first 50 tickets have already been sold, so claim your ticket quickly before it's sold out.
The organization of the National Congress Autonomous Systems is in the hands of the Innovatiecluster Drachten (ICD), The European Digital Innovation Hub Northern Netherlands (EDIH NN), the AI Hub Northern Netherlands, the University of Groningen (RUG) and @North and is made possible by Municipality of Smallingerland
