Thom visits former URE team member Tijs van der Smagt, who works at Avular Robotics.
In Eindhoven, Thom van Oss visited the company Avular, where former URE team member Tijs van der Smagt now works. Avular is known for its innovative approach to robotics. Tijs warmly welcomed them and enthusiastically talked about his work.
What Does Avular Do?
Avular develops various types of robots, including drones and wheeled robots. “Our robots can operate anywhere, from factories to agricultural land and even in forests,” Tijs explains. These robots are designed to take over repetitive and dull tasks, providing a solution to labor shortages and an aging workforce. “Robots are great for boring, repetitive tasks,” says Tijs van der Smagt.
Tijs shared his journey from student to professional: “Six years ago, I started a project to develop an autonomous car. I now use that experience at Avular.” He worked on the autonomous system of the cars and now applies that knowledge to the robots at Avular. “Developing autonomous systems remains challenging, but the experience from my previous job has prepared me well,” Tijs says.
Virtual Testing Location
One of the highlights of the visit was the demonstration of Avular’s virtual testing location. Here, they can test their robots in a simulated environment before deploying the real robots. “In the simulation, we can also test our robots,” Tijs explains. This system allows the optimization of the robots’ performance and ensures that all engineers have access to testing facilities, even when physical space is limited.
Avular works closely with their clients to ensure that the robots do exactly what is expected of them. “We are now working to have customers write more tests so they can specify how the robot should behave,” Tijs explains. This ensures a product that closely meets the customer’s wishes and requirements.
Tijs concluded the visit with an inspiring tour of Avular’s work environment. He showed how the team works daily on developing new robots and drones, with a strong focus on innovation and efficiency. “It’s fantastic to see how far we’ve come and what the future still holds,” Tijs proudly said. I thanked him sincerely for the extensive explanation and wished him the best of luck with further developments at Avular.
