SIEC BADAWCZA LUKASIEWICZ - PRZEMYSLOWY INSTYTUT AUTOMATYKI I POMIAROW PIAP

Their core work

PIAP is Poland's leading robotics and automation research institute, part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network. They develop robotic systems for industrial manufacturing (especially flexible and deformable material handling), infrastructure inspection, and security/defense applications including counter-drone and CBRN response systems. Their practical focus is helping SMEs adopt robotics and digital technologies through Digital Innovation Hubs, training programs, and open-source robot frameworks like ROS.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2016–2018), PIAP focused on security and defense applications — border surveillance, CBRN cluster support, counter-drone detection, and command-and-control systems for unmanned platforms. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward industrial robotics and SME digitization: flexible manufacturing, Digital Innovation Hubs, human-robot interaction, and advanced manufacturing training. This mirrors the broader EU policy push toward "Digitising European Industry" and shows PIAP repositioning from a defense-oriented lab to a manufacturing robotics integrator.

PIAP is consolidating as a robotics-for-manufacturing hub, with growing emphasis on Digital Innovation Hubs and hands-on SME transformation — expect future work in flexible production, human-robot collaboration, and federated robot systems.

How they like to work

PIAP has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a technical partner, contributing robotics and automation expertise to large, multi-partner consortia. With 214 unique partners across 33 countries in just 13 projects, they operate in very large networks (averaging 16+ partners per project), which is typical of EU cascade-funding and DIH-type initiatives. This makes them an experienced, low-friction consortium partner who knows how to deliver within complex multi-national setups.

Highly connected across Europe with 214 unique consortium partners spanning 33 countries — an unusually broad network for 13 projects, reflecting their participation in large pan-European DIH and security networks. Their reach extends well beyond Central Europe despite being Warsaw-based.

What sets them apart

PIAP combines deep robotics engineering capability with a rare dual focus: they can build unmanned platforms for security scenarios AND deploy flexible manufacturing robots for factory floors. As part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network (Poland's largest applied research organization), they bring institutional weight and infrastructure that most robotics labs lack. For consortium builders, they offer a strong Central European partner with proven delivery across both civilian and security-domain robotics projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• APRIL
  Largest single grant (EUR 822K) — focused on robotic manipulation of deformable materials in manufacturing, representing PIAP's biggest investment in flexible manufacturing robotics.
• DIH²
  Pan-European network of robotics Digital Innovation Hubs for agile production — positions PIAP as a gateway for SMEs seeking robotics adoption support across Europe.
• CAMELOT
  Advanced multi-domain border surveillance using unmanned platforms and C2 systems — showcases PIAP's defense robotics and autonomous systems capability.