Mechatronics & Optomechatronics in the Netherlands

The current trend is driven by ambition and collaboration, merging these systems with artificial intelligence and photonics to create smarter, more adaptive solutions. This dynamic evolution shines through stories like that of Portuguese entrepreneur Luís Pedro Oliveira, who pivoted from corporate finance in Lisbon to Eindhoven's HighTechXL accelerator in 2017. There, he tapped into partnerships with CERN, ASML, and TNO to found Aircision in 2019, pioneering optical wireless communication for global high-speed internet. 

"When I speak with organisations and even people outside of the Netherlands," he says, "I always hear the same, that the Netherlands is leading the photonics industry. And I think that's very good in the long term."

Luís Pedro Oliveira Founder, Aircision
 

This momentum not only fuels high-tech progress but also invites curious minds and innovators to join the Netherlands’ journey toward sustainable, intelligent engineering.

Mechatronics represents the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, and control systems to create intelligent and efficient systems. Optomechatronics is a specialised field that investigates the integration of optical components and technology into mechatronic systems, where optical components serve as sensors to measure mechanical quantities such as surface structure and orientation.

The country excels globally in precision engineering and advanced systems, powered by mechatronics and optomechatronics as foundational drivers. These fields are crucial for the country’s competitive advantage across sectors, including semiconductor equipment, scientific instrumentation, healthcare technology, aerospace, and agricultural systems.

Ton is a leading figure in the Dutch mechatronics ecosystem and currently chairs the working group on the mechatronics & optomechatronics action agenda for the National Technology Strategy. With deep roots from Philips’ Center for Industrial Technology, Ton has seen the ecosystem evolve from pioneering beginnings into a global powerhouse, giving rise to industry leaders like ASML, Thermo Fisher, and NXP. His expertise at the intersection of precision mechanics and optics makes him a key voice in shaping the Netherlands’ position at the forefront of advanced technology development.

“High-end mechatronic systems often rely heavily on optics, and the tight integration between precision mechanics and optics is critical for applications like space/telescope technology."

Ton Peijnenburg, Deputy General Manager (CTO) at VDL Enabling Technologies Group / Chairman NTS Coalition
 

The importance of these technologies is evidenced by their designation as one of the ten strategic technologies in the Netherlands’ National Technology Strategy, reflecting their crucial role in addressing societal challenges, enhancing national security, and driving future economic growth.

The Dutch high-tech systems and materials sector, comprising mechatronics and optomechatronics, is a significant contributor to the national economy. It generates a production value of €165 billion and exports worth over €70 billion, employing more than 500,000 professionals across 89,000 companies.

Within this sector, related markets show strong growth potential. The robotics market, valued at €1.08 billion in 2024, is projected to reach €2.54 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 9.89%. Industrial automation was valued at €2.00 billion in 2024 and is on track to reach €3.36 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 8.46%. Motion control, valued at €196.3 million in 2023, is forecast to reach €293.6 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.9%.

The semiconductor equipment segment is a standout, generating €18.6 billion in revenue and employing over 32,000 people. Dutch companies account for 79% of worldwide revenues in this area. The country produces the equipment used to manufacture 85% of all chips globally, highlighting its crucial role in precision engineering and optomechatronics within global supply chains.

In the Netherlands, mechatronics and optomechatronics play a pivotal role across several advanced industries. The strongest growth segments include semiconductor equipment, medical robotics, precision agriculture, and autonomous systems.

Industry leaders are at the forefront of global innovation, specialising in nanometer-scale machinery and precision optical alignment systems crucial for chip manufacturing and medical technology. The integration of optical sensors with intelligent control systems is expanding applications in healthcare diagnostics, automotive safety, and environmental monitoring.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting customised mechatronic solutions to boost automation, precision, and production efficiency, reflecting a nationwide shift toward a smarter, more collaborative future of manufacturing.

Mechatronics and optomechatronics form the backbone of the Dutch high-tech economy, supporting sectors that generate billions in exports and provide thousands of highly skilled jobs. Their precision engineering capabilities form the backbone of the nation’s semiconductor and automation ecosystems, ensuring global competitiveness. 

These technologies don’t just drive productivity; they empower innovation. Across manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, they enhance production accuracy, energy efficiency, and operational reliability. In the Netherlands, technology serves people and progress, creating an impact that reaches far beyond factories and labs.

Mechatronics and optomechatronics propel Dutch productivity by delivering unmatched precision, energy efficiency, and reliability across key industries. This collaborative spirit—linking talent, technology, and ambition—directly fuels the vibrant ecosystem of world-class players and innovation hubs explored next.

The Netherlands’ mechatronics and optomechatronics industry thrives through collaboration between world-class corporations, high-tech SMEs, and leading research institutions, creating a unified innovation ecosystem. A hallmark of this ecosystem is its characteristic layered structure: large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like ASML are intricately supported by a deep network of highly specialized Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers. These suppliers, often niche specialists in areas like precision components, motion control, or advanced optics, form regional clusters that foster rapid innovation and co-development.

Global giants like ASML, renowned for their cutting-edge lithography systems integrating mechatronic and optomechatronic precision, serve as cornerstones of this sector. VDL Group’s specialised mechatronics division (VDL ETG) delivers advanced manufacturing solutions, while Philips applies precision engineering to healthcare technologies. NXP Semiconductors designs and manufactures essential chips for global markets, and Prodrive Technologies produces high-tech electronics and mechatronic systems at scale. Frencken Group supplies complex precision mechatronics for diverse industries, and research powerhouse TNO drives advancements in optomechatronics. 

Important players like Demcon, a high-tech engineering group designing complex mechatronic and optomechatronic systems for sectors such as semiconductors, medical technology, and aerospace, and MI-Partners, specializing in ultra-precision motion control and mechatronic positioning systems, also underscore the breadth of Dutch innovation.

These industry leaders are complemented by a vibrant ecosystem of specialized SMEs and innovative scale-ups, often supported by entities like Hi Delta and regional development agencies such as InnovationQuarter. Examples include Battolyser Systems, Orange Quantum Systems, Q*Bird, Senseglove, and CEAD, which are advancing fields from quantum technology to large-scale robotic printing.

Academic excellence supports industry growth through Eindhoven University of Technology’s leading mechatronics programs, TU Delft’s optomechatronics research with the Dutch Optics Centre, and the University of Twente’s breakthroughs in nanotechnology and precision engineering.

Innovation hubs, such as High Tech Campus Eindhoven, comprising more than 300 companies and responsible for nearly 40% of Dutch patent filings, alongside the Dutch Optics Centre, with its consortium of over 200 high-tech firms, create spaces where world-class researchers, entrepreneurs, and engineers collaborate to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions, proving that innovation in the Netherlands is both inclusive and globally-minded. 

Innovators in the Netherlands are pushing the boundaries of precision, speed, and intelligence in engineering. They have achieved nanometer-level accuracy in semiconductor manufacturing through breakthroughs such as magnetically levitated wafer tables, which accelerate at speeds up to 7g. Their positioning precision reaches as fine as 60 picometers, which is smaller than the size of a silicon atom.

In optomechatronic systems, the country excels in advanced lithography for chipmaking, adaptive optics for astronomy and space exploration, and ultra-precise measurement and metrology solutions. Emerging technologies, such as quantum-integrated optomechatronics and AI-enhanced systems, are driving breakthrough capabilities. Sustainable design principles and circular engineering models ensure long-term efficiency.

The use of digital twin technology is growing to optimise operations and predict maintenance requirements. Research priorities include Mechatronics 2.0, which integrates multiple functions within unified systems, smart bearings equipped with embedded sensors, and modular components designed for scalable, high-performance applications across diverse industries.

The Dutch government’s comprehensive policy framework, outlined in the National Technology Strategy (2024), identifies these fields among ten strategic key enabling technologies essential for maintaining global technological leadership and reducing dependency risks. The government focuses on applications in industrial systems, machines, and equipment.

The Holland High Tech Initiative supports this through a top sector approach, embedding public-private partnerships with €5.7 billion invested in Knowledge and Innovation Agendas targeting mechatronics and optomechatronics.

Support programs include the High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) initiative, backed by an annual budget of €7.5 million, along with European Regional Development Fund contributions of €7.3 million to foster cross-border mechatronics projects. The Defence Strategy for Industry and Innovation highlights high-performance materials and sensor technologies.

Research incentives include the WBSO R&D Tax Credit, which offers a 32% reduction (up to 40% for startups) on the first €350,000 of R&D costs and Innovation Credit programs that boost technology development. The Netherlands also benefits from an extensive network of bilateral tax treaties, which supports international collaboration.

This framework demonstrates a strategic and well-funded approach to sustaining and advancing mechatronics and optomechatronics innovation and industrial strength in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands offers an attractive environment for mechatronics and optomechatronics investment, driven by strong governmental support, deep-tech funding, and a culture of collaborative innovation.

 "In the Netherlands, especially in the startup ecosystem, we talk a lot about the strategic areas for the country, and we see quite a significant amount of funding available for those specific strategic areas."

Luís Pedro Oliveira Founder, Aircision

Significant public funding supports the sector’s expansion, including a €230 million government investment in micro- and nanoelectronics through the IPCEI initiative. Additionally, a proposed €420 million investment over seven years aims to boost semiconductor innovation. The National Growth Fund further supports initiatives like PhotonDelta, advancing photonic and optomechatronic technologies.

Dutch high-tech startups raised $3.5 billion in 2024, marking one of their best funding years yet. Dedicated vehicles such as PhotonVentures (€60 million for photonics startups) and the Dutch Venture Initiative (DVI-II, €200 million) provide critical growth capital, complemented by €956 million in public funding for deeptech ventures between 2021 and 2024.

The nation’s investment model emphasises public-private co-financing and international collaboration, with 97% of guided investments aligned with strategic priorities. However, limited pension fund participation (0.01% compared to 0.19% in Sweden) and constrained access to scale-up capital highlight ongoing challenges, amid competition from other European innovation hubs. Still, the entrepreneurial drive here remains unmatched.

Ken Fleming's story reads like a high-tech success saga: from Canada to the Netherlands 13 years ago, recruited by Dutch investors to lead a transportation startup. Now CEO of Fizyr, born from TU Delft research, with two successful exits under his belt and 30+ years spanning DHL-scale operations and startup scaling, he personally backs this AI robotics venture. His outsider-turned-insider view captures the ecosystem's promise and hurdles perfectly.

“There are good funds available in the Netherlands including Government incentives and access to industrial capital.  Some funds have structured rules and conditions that may actually prohibit innovation.  It’s important to choose wisely.” 

Ken Fleming CEO, Fizyr

With world-class digital and physical infrastructure, a multilingual and highly educated workforce, and a central European location offering access to 400 million customers within 800 miles, the Netherlands combines accessibility with innovation power. Its favourable tax climate and global treaty network further enhance investor confidence.

With one of the world’s most connected business ecosystems, a resilient talent base, and forward-thinking government support, the Netherlands stands ready to welcome changemakers who want to turn technological vision into reality.