Highlights of the day
Event host Steven van Roon (Robotics Center) opened the event and introduced keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Artzmüller. He emphasized the importance of high-quality data for scalable robotic solutions and identified human-centered, explainable, and trusted AI as essential building blocks for integrated AI systems.
Workshops and practical examples
During the workshops, participants gained valuable insights into AI applications in agrifood and medtech. Jan Benders (HAN University of Applied Sciences) introduced ROS 2, an open-source platform that fosters collaboration across sectors such as automotive, agriculture, and healthcare. His presentation demonstrated how shared technologies can unlock new possibilities.
Tim Kreukniet (Trabotyx) showcased autonomous weeding robots that navigate muddy fields, while Willem-Jan (Ambee) applied similar technologies in logistical care robots to navigate chaotic hospital environments. Both highlighted the challenges of adapting robots to specific working conditions.
Job Oostveen and Joke Bruining (TNO), alongside Carin Jansen and Heidi van Mierlo (Mijzo), discussed obstacles in creating feasible and scalable robotic solutions. They underlined how a ‘collaborative business model’ approach can help overcome these challenges.
Nikita Sharma (Valtes) demonstrated how AI chatbots can support caregivers in emotionally charged situations, and Bob Schadenberg (University of Twente) highlighted the complexities and ethical dilemmas of AI implementation, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when deploying AI systems.
Robots that understand human interactions
Marloes van der Burgt (Ambee), Erik Pekkeriet (WUR), and Lenardo Gijsbertsen (Assistive Innovations) showcased how robots can interpret and respond to human interactions. They emphasized that robots can contribute to a pesticide-free future while also serving as practical tools for individuals with disabilities, such as a robotic arm that assists with drinking.
"People don’t want to become living robots."
Guido van Gageldonk (BOM) and Bernke Papenburg (Rijnstate) shared their experiences with advanced AI vision applications. They demonstrated that while this technology is already quite mature, the greatest challenge lies in the final stages: developing products that are both technically excellent and practically deployable. Innovations in autonomous surgery highlighted how AI enhances ergonomics for medical staff and improves patient outcomes.
Rijnstate Hospital opts for robots with intelligence.
Funding and collaboration
Anne Bergen, Gregory Clare, and Steven van Roon (University of Twente) concluded the day with practical insights on funding AI and robotics R&D. Their lively discussion shed light on how businesses and researchers can access the resources needed to accelerate innovation.
These practical examples and success stories illustrate the vast potential of AI in robotics across various sectors.
Would you like to explore AI in robotics? Contact AI-hub Oost-Nederland!
