# Automation and Robotics Pilot Lines in the Context of Industry 5.0
## 2 Pilot Lines in the Literature
### Innovative Activities and Digital Factories  
The trends towards supporting the research and development of pilot lines by the European Commission (EC) have facilitated the launch of several projects emphasizing the idea of using pilot lines as elements to bridge the gap between research and industrial production. For example, H2020 Pillar 2: Industrial Leadership defined six Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) in manufacturing (nanotechnology, micro- and nanoelectronics, photonics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing systems) and promoted the idea of multi-KET pilot lines [44]. Within the Digital Europe Program, which aims to bring digital technologies and infrastructure to citizens, public administrations, and industry, the EC has specific calls in which pilot lines are fundamental components. The Chips Joint Undertaking, an initiative seeking to strengthen the European semiconductor industry, organized a call for the setup of pilot lines on advanced photonic integrated circuits and another call for proposals on operational activities of these pilot lines during 2024. In this way, they are stimulating innovation through pilot lines and experimental facilities in the field of semiconductors. Some of the projects detailed in the state-of-the-art review are framed within these calls and similar initiatives. For instance, FAMES ([[https://fames-pilot-line.eu/](https://fames-pilot-line.eu/)]([https://fames-pilot-line.eu/](https://fames-pilot-line.eu/)) (accessed on 27 December 2024)) is a project and a pilot line aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable semiconductor technologies, or NanoIC ([[https://www.nanoic-project.eu/](https://www.nanoic-project.eu/)]([https://www.nanoic-project.eu/](https://www.nanoic-project.eu/)) (accessed on 27 December 2024)). The project led by the center for nanoelectronics and digital technology research, IMEC, together with a consortium of companies, tackles the efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in chip manufacturing. Another example is PhotonHub ([[https://www.photonhub.eu/pilot-lines/](https://www.photonhub.eu/pilot-lines/)]([https://www.photonhub.eu/pilot-lines/](https://www.photonhub.eu/pilot-lines/)) (accessed on 27 December 2024)), which serves as an innovation hub for photonics and covers the concepts of \"test-before-invest\" and upskilling opportunities discussed throughout this work. PhotonHub presents seven different pilot lines where technologies such as chemical sensors or medical applications can be validated. Also, the AMPLiFII2 ([[https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=104175](https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=104175)]([https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=104175](https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=104175)) (accessed on 27 December 2024)) project, funded by the UK Research and Innovation program, leverages the concept of pilot lines to validate some of its developments and begin producing battery modules at small scales, but ready for high-scale production. When analyzing public and private initiatives related to pilot lines, it is possible to find a wide variety with objectives and characteristics adapted to different specific needs.