Dutch robot centre opens as Europe tries to close gap with China’s fast-moving humanoid race
malaymail.com Jul 3, 2026

Dutch robot centre opens as Europe tries to close gap with China’s fast-moving humanoid race

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A new robot centre has opened in the Netherlands to bridge Europe's gap with China in humanoid robotics. The Humanoid Application Center aims to bring together firms, researchers, and technicians to advance humanoid robotics technology. The centre's CEO, Evert Jaap Lugt, forecasts a future where humanoid robots will be indistinguishable from humans. The centre will link companies with technicians to harness humanoid robots to solve corporate problems. A corporate boss plans to introduce a humanoid robot to a building site by the end of the year to increase production and affordability of housing. Europe is currently behind China, which accounted for 85% of the world's humanoid installations last year.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Europe's lag in humanoid robotics hinders its ability to innovate and compete globally.
  • · By kickstarting a European fightback in robotics, the new centre can help the continent catch up with China's dominance.