From connected machines to collaborative intelligence

Machines no longer just need to be connected. They need to communicate, coordinate and make decisions together, in real time. On 23 September we brought the people working on that challenge into one room at Noviotech Campus in Nijmegen.

The Future of Machine-to-Machine Communication was organised by Ecosystem Services together with High Tech NL and Oost NL, as part of the NL@MWC community programme. The afternoon showed how connectivity, AI, semiconductors, robotics and advanced computing are converging, and why no single discipline can solve this on its own.

From connectivity to collaboration

Liane van der Veen (Oost NL) and Tom van der Dussen (High Tech NL) opened the programme. Anke Kuipers and Mark Beermann then presented the opportunities at the Netherlands Pavilion at MWC Barcelona 2027, where many of these technologies will be on show.

Building the foundations

Mark van Helvoort (POLARIS/Philips) showed how RF technology connects fields as different as medical imaging, radar and satellite communications. Marc Stienen (CSL) made the case for resilient connectivity as systems become more critical. Marcel Geurts (NXP) presented the Future Network Services programme, covering 6G, AI-driven networks and integrated sensing and communication. The common thread: future networks need to be faster, smarter and more resilient.

When machines work together

Dr Majid Nabi (Eindhoven University of Technology) presented the CAMoRo project, in which robots coordinate with each other in real time, with applications in manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. Tijs Koops (Digital Holland) explained how neuromorphic computing can help edge AI process information far more efficiently. Nicole van Haelst introduced the NL@MWC Talent Collective, because none of this happens without skilled people.

Innovation with responsibility

In a panel moderated by Anke Kuipers, Marcel Geurts, Majid Nabi and Tijs Koops discussed what it takes to trust machines that act more and more autonomously: reliability, transparency, safety and human oversight.

Why this matters to us

This is exactly the kind of challenge we exist for. Machine-to-machine communication only moves forward when chip designers, network experts, researchers, regional development agencies and end users work on it together. Our role is to bring them together and keep the conversation going until it turns into action. We will continue this with the NL@MWC community on the road to MWC Barcelona 2027.