# Automation and Robotics Pilot Lines in the Context of Industry 5.0
## 2 Pilot Lines in the Literature
### Industrial Pilot Lines
From an Industry 4.0 perspective and supported by pilot lines, the authors present a flexible, interoperable end-of-line solution specifically designed for the ceramic tile sector. The pilot line contributes to the development of new optimization tools, creation of new machinery, and integration of technical modules into existing solutions. In their article, they also present tests of new waterproofing treatments and an improved process control, detailing outcomes such as a 25% reduction in development time, a 25% decrease in development costs, and a 20% increase in efficiency and production capacity. In the photovoltaic panel production industry, pilot lines have been used as development platforms and as tools for monitoring single processes [28]. Specifically, pilot production of hundreds of units of high-efficiency solar cells has provided relevant data and insights for future production scaling analysis. Another example is a multi-process, multi-manufacturing-tool pilot line approach for the rapid technological development of flexible and lightweight displays [29], which enabled a rapid and cost-effective method for process development and the fabrication of limited-size Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) arrays. This approach helped break down technological barriers to commercialization, as in many cases detailed previously. The need to make manufacturing more autonomous by providing capabilities in perception, prediction, optimization, and control has also facilitated the creation of a pilot line and its associated Digital Twin in the field of polymer processing [30]. The pilot line includes an injection molding machine, robotic arms, conveyor belts, and inspection cameras. The Digital Twin is utilized for real-time monitoring, movement optimization (for both the robotic arm and the conveyor belt), and predictive maintenance. Even in the aerospace sector, there are examples of pilot lines. The European Space Agency (ESA), under the PIOTS project, developed photonic packaging technologies meeting space requirements, as well as the packaging line process controls, and deployed a pilot line for the packaging of photonic integrated circuits [31]. Shifting from aerospace to aviation, this field has also examined the potential benefits of Industry 4.0 and how pilot lines can help mitigate investment risks and uncertainties. Specifically, in [32], the authors note that \"no matter how good a technology is, if the companies do not feel that they can get the benefits from their huge investment, they will be reluctant to invest\". Adapting facilities to varying production volumes is also one of the challenges in the automotive sector. For this reason, in [33], the authors built customized low-cost robots for different scenarios. These robots consist of plug-and-produce robotic modules that can be composed in a design platform. In their case studies, they demonstrated the scenario of physical cooperation and task sharing between humans and robots on a car assembly pilot line, underlining improved usability and sensing capabilities. Lastly, there are several articles in which the pilot line is not centered on a specific sector but rather serves to validate approaches and technologies across various fields. One such article discusses designing reconfigurable modular production systems to improve human-system integration [34]. The pilot line presented spans across diverse industries, including automotive, wood products, bicycles, bearings, and metal manufacturing. Specifically, the article showcases pilot lines equipped with agents supporting artificial intelligence (AI), the semantic web, machine learning, and flexible planning as part of a framework for agile and smart manufacturing. In [35], the researchers present a study that will be validated across several multi-sectoral pilot lines. The study focuses on the concept of Zero Defect Manufacturing and quality control.