Autonomous systems: tomorrow's business opportunities

Avular, a company based in Eindhoven, develops modular autonomous robots and drones (both flying and driving) that can be used for various applications, from agriculture to inspection and logistics. CEO Albert Maas emphasizes that autonomous systems are not simply an extension of AI. “Let's be careful about thinking that AI will solve everything for us. We think differently about this than Tesla. Large Language Models create language that is not yet a physical system. We have specific ideas about this, including a strong position regarding intellectual property. A complete family of patents is in the making.”

Autonomous Systems series

This is the second part of a short series leading up to the first National Autonomous Systems Congress to be held in Drachten on April 2. Read the first article here and the second article here.

On April 2, Albert Maas is a speaker at the first National Congress on Autonomous Systems will occur in Drachten on April 2, 2025. This event will bring together industry, science, and government experts to explore how autonomous technologies are transforming the economy and society. One of the three central tracks focuses on autonomous systems' business opportunities. This 'industrial line' focuses on companies that develop autonomously operating technologies and use them for economic growth and sustainability.

His presentation will show how Avular combines technological innovation with a pragmatic approach to offer feasible and scalable solutions. Maas also draws attention to Europe's position about the other superpowers. “Here in Europe, we have the very best autonomous systems technology and the right knowledge, but if we wait too long, we will be left behind, just as it happened with AI,” he warns. The CEO sees a worrying trend in which China and the United States invest heavily in autonomous technologies while Europe is moving too slowly. “In Beijing, you can already have a Starbucks order delivered by drone. That is still far from conceivable in Europe because regulations are stricter and investments are lagging.”

Further along the Industrial Line

The Industrial Line of the National Congress of Autonomous Systems presents leading innovations in autonomy. In addition to Avular and Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions, Lely shows how milking and feeding robots make agriculture more efficient and sustainable. 247TailorSteel shows how a fully autonomous production system is transforming the sheet metal industry. Batenburg Beenen accelerates autonomous production environments. IBM's Mayflower project proves the power of unmanned vessels. The conference offers plenty of insights into how autonomous systems can change entire industries.

Avular's autonomous systems can be used in various places, sometimes as a solution to labor shortages, sometimes because people prefer to avoid repetitive or dangerous jobs. “It could be in construction, it could be in agriculture, it could be in the inspection sphere. That's where the biggest labor shortage is.” His company is therefore developing robots that can take over these tasks – from an autonomous car that cuts asphalt to a drone that autonomously inspects chimneys.

Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions: data and autonomy in the circular economy

Another company in the spotlight on the business track is Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions. The Groningen-based company is the global market leader in turn-key waste management recycling systems and plays a crucial role in the circular economy. Vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board (and CEO until November 2024) Edmund Tenfelde emphasizes the importance of autonomy in this sector: “We build factories that convert waste into raw materials, but the requirements for recycling are becoming increasingly stringent. To meet those standards and compete on price with so-called virgin raw materials, we must use AI-driven solutions and autonomous systems more.”

Netherlands leads the way in the 'Autonomy Economy'

National Autonomous Systems Congress brings pioneers together in Drachten to explore the impact and potential of autonomous systems.

Tenfelde points to European regulations: “In 2019, the EU adopted new rules to tackle the plastic problem. It includes a target of 25% recycled material in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030.” The EU is focusing primarily on limiting its use by introducing labeling requirements. In addition, attention is being paid to informing consumers about the plastic content of products and introducing waste management and clean-up obligations for producers, including regulations for extended producer responsibility (EPR). Specific targets include processing 25% recycled plastic in PET beverage bottles from 2025 and 30% in all bottles by 2030.

According to Tenfelde, data is the key here. “A PET bottle cannot simply be recycled into a new PET bottle. We need to know exactly what the plastic composition is and preferably separate it into food-grade and non-food-grade plastic. Our AI-driven systems help our customers and manufacturers to detect and separate.” Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions recently acquired a major stake in a London-based AI company to strengthen their competitive position. This company specializes in advanced AI data analysis and autonomous systems for recycling processes.

Sustainable innovation as a necessity

The transition to a circular economy is not just an ambition but a necessity, says Tenfelde. “We will not achieve the European objectives if we continue as we are now. There are not enough natural raw materials to meet the growing demand. We will have to.” He sees autonomous systems as the key to this change but emphasizes that legislation and regulations play a crucial role. “In some countries, producers are already required to use 30% recycled plastic. That goes up to 50%. But that process is too slow in the Netherlands and many other European countries.”

Avular and Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions emphasize that cooperation with science and government is essential. “We sell autonomous platforms to academics such as the University of Groningen and corporate researchers, such as clients like Vanderlande and Philips Research. They can build their own applications on these, without developing the entire robotics infrastructure themselves,” explains Maas.

For Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions, such collaboration also plays a key role in innovation. “We work closely with universities and knowledge institutes to optimize our processes. But we want to go even further. It is not for nothing that we in the Northern Netherlands are discussing the development of an AI factory that could be a game changer for the circular economy.”

Academia as a driving force in innovating autonomous systems

During the National Autonomous Systems Congress, the Science Track will show how research is driving innovation in autonomous technologies.

The importance of a strong European industry

Both companies see the conference as an opportunity to accelerate business and technological developments in autonomous systems. “These events bring the right parties together and accelerate cooperation,” says Maas. “Europe has enormous potential, but we need to invest more quickly and decisively in strategic autonomy.” Perhaps the defense industry can give this a push. “Defense can be an accelerator and catalyst for autonomous systems in the broader sense of he word.”

For Tenfelde, success during the conference revolves around concrete collaborations: “If we have made agreements by the end of the day and companies, knowledge institutions, and policymakers go home motivated, then this conference will have succeeded. Not just for Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions, but for the entire circular economy.”

More information about the conference and registration can be found here: ,