First Humanoid Application Centre in the Netherlands opened at MICS: humanoid robots from demo to practical application
The Humanoid Application Centre (HAC) officially opened on 2 July 2026 at the Mechatronics Innovation Campus Schiedam (MICS), near Rotterdam. The centre is dedicated to exploring how humanoid robots can be deployed in real-world work environments, bringing together businesses, technology partners, educational institutions, and public authorities. It is the first innovation centre of its kind in the Netherlands, focusing on the practical application of humanoid robots in sectors such as construction, horticulture, logistics, industry, healthcare, and facilities management.
During the opening ceremony, various humanoid robots demonstrated tasks including bricklaying, cleaning, packing, and even walking, dancing, and running. The HAC emphasises that these robots are not intended to replace human workers, but rather to support them in roles where labour shortages and productivity bottlenecks are most acute.
Bridging the gap from technology to practical application
The HAC is designed to address social and economic challenges such as workforce shortages, an ageing population, and workplace safety. By allowing companies to test humanoid robots under realistic conditions, the centre helps them evaluate functionality, safety, and business viability. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between global advancements in humanoid robotics and their adoption by Dutch and European companies.
The focus lies on sectors where automation is increasingly needed, particularly for repetitive or physically demanding tasks in complex environments. In industry, this includes inspection and logistics; in healthcare and services, it involves physical assistance. Horticulture is also a target area, with applications such as harvesting bell peppers, contributing to the future of food systems.
First use case with Dura Vermeer in construction
Dura Vermeer is the first founding partner to develop a use case at the HAC, exploring how humanoid robots can assist in paving work for infrastructure projects. Jaap Hulshoff, Director of Technology & Innovation at Dura Vermeer, said: “The construction sector faces major challenges in labour productivity, safety, and the availability of skilled workers. We do not want to wait until this technology is fully mature; we want to learn now how robotisation can contribute to a future-proof construction sector.” The company sees humanoid robotics as a way to support skilled workers in physically demanding tasks, allowing them to focus on work where their expertise is most valuable.
Demonstrations, training, and educational collaboration
Beyond demonstrations, the HAC offers training courses and implementation programmes for organisations. It works closely with educational institutions, giving students from vocational colleges to universities hands-on experience with humanoid robotics.
Evert Jaap Lugt, co-founder of the HAC, noted: “Humanoid robots are rapidly evolving from technological demonstrations into practical tools. The challenge no longer lies solely in building robots, but in integrating them into existing business processes. The HAC helps organisations take that step.”
Consortium partners and ecosystem at MICS
The HAC is supported by a broad consortium of founding partners, including Dura Vermeer, VolkerWessels, Harvest House, GOM (Facilicom Group), and Eurocaps. The centre is located at the Mechatronics Innovation Campus Schiedam (MICS), a high-tech manufacturing campus developed by SDK Vastgoed in collaboration with the municipality of Schiedam. Companies such as Metrohm, Alquion, FMI, and Boers & Co, along with educational institutions like Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Mikrocentrum, are already part of this growing ecosystem.
Schiedam councillor Cemil Kahramanoğlu stated: “Here, businesses, the education sector, and government are working together on innovation and talent development. The municipality welcomes the arrival of the HAC on the campus.” Niels Langenhuizen, director of SDK Vastgoed and MICS developer, added: “Together, we are building a powerful ecosystem in which companies and talented individuals innovate and put these innovations into practice directly.”
About the Humanoid Application Centre
The Humanoid Application Centre (HAC) supports companies in exploring, testing, and implementing humanoid robots through demonstrations, pilot projects, training, and practical validation. It aims to become the leading innovation centre for humanoid robotics in the Netherlands and to play a key role in the future European ecosystem for humanoid robots.
The source for this article is https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/news/2026/07/02/first-humanoid-application-centre-in-the-netherlands-opened-at-mics-humanoid-robots-from-demo-to-practical-application-/26800/.