# Automation and Robotics Pilot Lines in the Context of Industry 5.0
## 1 Introduction  
In its 2025 manufacturing industry sector outlook report ([[https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing-industry-outlook.html](https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing-industry-outlook.html)]([https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing-industry-outlook.html](https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing-industry-outlook.html)) (accessed on 27 December 2024)), Deloitte points out that despite financial uncertainty, rising costs and the complex economic and business landscape, the industry continues investing in digital solutions. Nevertheless, this transition towards digitalization introduces new challenges. On the one hand, there are challenges associated with the rapid pace of technological evolution and the need for a skilled workforce [1]. On the other hand, the complexity of these new technologies, along with issues of interoperability and integration with the industry's existing processes [2], pose significant difficulties. In recent years, discussions about Industry 4.0, and more recently Industry 5.0, have gained relevance as paradigms to address these and other issues [3]. Specifically, Industry 4.0 aimed to reduce production times and enhance quality, flexibility, and interoperability [4]. Meanwhile, the new Industry 5.0 extends these concepts by focusing on greater collaboration between human operators and machines, while also emphasizing waste reduction and sustainability [5]. The concept of Industry 5.0 is linked to the idea of Society 5.0: a society that extends beyond industrial- or information-based societies to find a balance between technology, economic development, social progress, and environmental sustainability [6]. Likewise,if Industry 4.0 was primarily focused on digitalization and productivity, the Industry 5.0 paradigm builds on these aspects while adding a social and responsible dimension. Human-centricity, along with resilience and sustainability, are the core pillars of Industry 5.0. Specifically, the human-centric aspect places humans at the center of the production process, guiding them, easing their workload, and supporting decision-making. The resilience aspect refers to a more adaptable and flexible production system that also enhances quality. Lastly, the sustainability aspect focuses on optimizing resources, reducing environmental impact, and minimizing waste. When discussing sustainability and, in particular, waste reduction, it is often useful to start from simpler and more production-related concepts, for example, \"Right First Time\" and \"Zero Defect Manufacturing\". Right First Time (RFT), often referred to as First Time Right, is a production strategy based on quality improvement movements from the 1960s and the Japanese philosophy of continuous quality processes known as Kaizen [7]. The strategy emphasizes the concept that there should be no defects throughout the entire production process, thus avoiding unnecessary rework and waste. In the 1980s, it was used as a slogan in mass-production factories to encourage workers to stop the line and solve problems as soon as they were detected [8]. Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) is another concept related to the quality of processes and products. Although it originated in the 1960s, ZDM remains a trend in Industry 4.0. Typically, ZDM combines both a product-oriented and a process-oriented approach. The product-oriented approach focuses on studying defects in parts and pieces, and finding solutions, while the process-oriented approach focuses on equipment and processes to identify issues in how products are manufactured [9]. Both approaches need to be validated, preferably in non-productive environments before being implemented. This is especially critical in an ecosystem where the offering of solutions and technologies, which are sometimes immature, is broad and constantly evolving.