The Northern Netherlands high-tech industry wants to take the lead in autonomous systems and autonomous factories. That became clear on Wednesday, September 2, when 19 progressive companies gathered in Drachten for the first session of the Business & Technology Roadmap Autonomous Systems. Large and small, self-made companies got to work together on the developments and opportunities for the next five years.
Joint roadmap for autonomous systems
The goal of the meeting was clear: to develop a joint plan for the further development of one of the technological spearheads of the Northern Netherlands: autonomous systems and autonomous factories.
This so-called Business & Technology Roadmap must provide direction for future business opportunities and technological developments. In doing so, it looks not only at what will become technologically possible, but specifically also at where opportunities lie for the high-tech industry in the region.
The first step has now been taken. Thanks to the active involvement of the participating companies, a solid initial foundation is in place to build upon in the coming period.
Involve at least 50 companies from the Northern Netherlands
However, the ambition extends beyond this initial meeting. The roadmap must ultimately become a widely supported plan by the Northern Netherlands high-tech industry. Therefore, the goal is to involve at least 50 companies from the region substantively in the process.
Following this initial session, four more meetings will take place. Other companies and parties will also be invited to share their ideas and insights. In this way, they will jointly explore which new business opportunities will arise and what technology development is needed for this in the coming years.
By bringing together companies with different backgrounds and expertise, a broad picture of the opportunities and challenges surrounding autonomous systems emerges.
Collaboration between ICD, RUG, TNO and EDIH Northern Netherlands
The initiative for the Business & Technology Roadmap Autonomous Systems arose from a collaboration between the Innovatiecluster Drachten (ICD), the State University Groningen (RUG), TNO and EDIH North Netherlands.
This brings together research-based knowledge, technological expertise, and business experience. Furthermore, this approach aligns well with what the ICD stands for: connecting companies, knowledge institutes, and other partners to accelerate innovation in the Northern Netherlands.
Building a stronger HTSM ecosystem
Under the banner of INFINITECH are the parties involved continuing to work on a stronger High Tech Systems & Materials (HTSM) ecosystem in Northern Netherlands. The roadmap for Autonomous Systems forms an important part of that.
Moreover, it is not a one-off trajectory. The ambition is to jointly develop a new, up-to-date Business & Technology Roadmap every three years. This way, the Northern Netherlands high-tech industry can continue to respond to new technologies, changing markets, and future business opportunities.
With the first meeting in Drachten, an important foundation has been laid for this. Nineteen companies kicked it off, but the explicit ambition is to involve many more companies from the Northern Netherlands in this joint course during the upcoming sessions.
