Message posted on
13 March 2026 by HIVE
On March 12, 2026 members of the Breda Robotics network visited our civil-military aerospace maintenance cluster in Woensdrecht for a knowledge-sharing and networking event. The purpose of the gathering was to explore how new developments in AI and robotics could be applied to the field of Aerospace MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul). Innovation is essential for the required scaling up of the Air Force and the Ministry of Defense, the development of knowledge and strategic autonomy in the Netherlands, and addressing a shortage of qualified technical personnel.
HIVE Presentation
Innovation Manager Ubo Termote opened the event with a presentation on HIVE: what we do here, which organizations we work with, the role innovation plays in this, and how the development of our cluster is also becoming visible in the physical space, with new hangars, testing facilities, and sustainable upgrades to existing buildings.
About Breda Robotics
Steven Verstraeten of Breda Robotics then took the floor. This nonprofit organization connects businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies with the goal of advancing the application of robotics and AI technology. Young talent and startups play a key role in this effort. Specifically for the aerospace MRO sector, the focus is on:
Dual-Use Grant Project
Steven’s colleague Lisanne Ottenvanger then gave a brief overview of the Dual-Use project that Breda Robotics has launched with six regional partners, including the Hive Aerospace Collective. Funding for this project was secured from the West Brabant Region’s Research & Development Fund.
The project focuses on identifying dual-use technologies in the fields of robotics and AI that can be applied in the maintenance and logistics sectors. Dual-use means applicable to both defense and commercial applications. These are robust, scalable solutions that can be rapidly deployed by the armed forces while offering a higher return on investment for the developer, thanks to additional market potential in the commercial sector.
Predictive Maintenance – SAM Automation & Summix
Speaker Stan Jacobs then demonstrated how data-driven maintenance can prevent breakdowns. According to him, the real problem isn’t the breakdown itself, but the lack of insight into what precedes it. Predictive maintenance therefore begins with collecting and understanding data: which components are critical, and how do you measure their “health”?
Sensors continuously measure data points, which are used to train AI models that recognize patterns and make predictions. These models run on a Smart Maintenance platform, which enables remote monitoring of machines and provides timely insights into where maintenance will be needed.
By linking this type of data to processes such as procurement and delivery times, maintenance and operations become more predictable. At the same time, the data provides valuable insights for process optimization. The result: greater control, improved predictability, and greater peace of mind for the customer.
AI-powered inspections for MRO – Cboost
Daniël Telgen, CEO of Cboost, painted a picture of an industry facing multiple challenges simultaneously: a shortage of aircraft inspectors, a loss of expertise, increasing technical complexity, and high standards for quality and safety, while innovation often lags behind. The latter is due to specific aviation regulations: new technology cannot simply be implemented.
Cboost brings expertise together and collaborates with partners to build comprehensive, AI-powered visual inspection solutions for use on the shop floor. For example, with a client like KLM. A key principle here is that everything can run locally for security and data sovereignty reasons. Inspection data collected (via robots, sensors, or drones, for example) is processed on-site to develop AI models and tools that accelerate and support inspections. This will enable professionals to get five times as much work done in ten years from now.
Robotic surface treatment – RoboFlex
Roboflex, represented by Tommy Hofkens, provided a glimpse into the development of custom robot solutions for surface treatments such as sanding and spraying. A major challenge in robotization is programming: traditionally, this can take hours—sometimes five hours of programming for just one hour of production.
That is why Roboflex is increasingly helping customers with motion-based programming. In this process, cameras record manual operations such as sanding, wet painting, and powder coating. The robot precisely replicates these movements, with tolerances of up to approximately one millimeter. Another method involves 3D scanning of products, after which robots are automatically programmed to perform tasks such as spray painting.
In the aviation sector, Roboflex offers expertise in the robotic sanding and painting of aircraft parts, including composite materials and components of the F-35 Lightning II.
A peek behind the scenes
Of course, a guided tour was a must this afternoon. So we paid a visit to the state-of-the-art wide-body hangar of the Fokker Services Group, where, in addition to learning about the hangar’s features, we were given a detailed explanation of the design and replacement of aircraft interiors.
In addition, the group received a crash course in sheet metal and composite repair at ACRATS, where the SRM—the nearly 100,000-page Structure Repair Manual—made a particularly lasting impression. Hats off to the sheet metal workers!
Next, HIVE innovation partner NLR provided an explanation in The Hangar of The Future, where the practical application of technology in MRO is being developed and refined. On behalf of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, NLR is working on two projects here:
Both projects are aimed at saving time and addressing the growing labor shortage.
Networking opportunity
The event concluded with networking in an informal setting, accompanied by refreshing drinks. Not only were valuable connections made, but several concrete follow-up meetings were also scheduled. Together with Roboflex, we look back on a successful gathering!
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