ROBOTT-NET · Project

European Network That Moves Robotics from Lab to Factory Floor Faster

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Imagine you've got a brilliant new robot technology sitting in a lab, but getting it into a real factory feels like crossing an ocean in a rowboat. ROBOTT-NET built a Europe-wide highway for exactly that journey — connecting research labs in Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the UK so they share equipment, expertise, and testing facilities. They ran 8 real pilot installations at manufacturer sites, taking robot technologies from "works in the lab" all the way to "works on the shop floor." Think of it as a shared fast-track service that helps robot innovations skip years of trial-and-error and reach paying customers sooner.

By the numbers

Robotic pilots installed at end-user sites at TRL 7+

1,200+

End-users and robot developers engaged

Consortium partners across Europe

Countries covered (DE, DK, ES, UK)

Research and Technology Organisations in the network

Total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Most manufacturers know they need robotic automation to stay competitive, but the path from "interesting lab technology" to "running on my factory floor" is long, expensive, and risky. Small and mid-size companies especially lack the in-house expertise to evaluate which robot technologies are ready, which ones fit their specific production needs, and how to get from pilot to full deployment. Meanwhile, robotics developers struggle to find real-world testing environments and paying customers for their innovations.

The solution

What was built

ROBOTT-NET built a shared European technology transfer infrastructure connecting 4 Research and Technology Organisations with a structured 4-stage pipeline — from technology scouting and feasibility studies (TRL 5) through field trials (TRL 6) to complete installed automation solutions (TRL 7+). They delivered 8 pilot installations at real end-user sites and produced 19 project deliverables including technical assessments and business feasibility studies.

Audience

Who needs this

Mid-size manufacturers looking to automate production but lacking in-house robotics expertiseRobotics startups and developers needing access to testing facilities and first customersSystem integrators seeking pre-validated robot technologies to offer their clientsFood and packaging companies exploring robotic handling and palletizingLogistics and warehouse operators evaluating robotic picking and sorting solutions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive & Discrete Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Mid-size manufacturers looking to automate assembly or quality inspection

If you are a manufacturer struggling with labor shortages or inconsistent quality on your production line — this project developed a shared infrastructure of 4 Research and Technology Organisations across 4 countries that tested 8 robotic automation pilots to TRL 7+. That means you can tap into pre-validated robot solutions instead of starting from scratch, cutting your automation adoption time significantly.

Professional Service Robotics

SME

Target: Robot developers and integrators seeking market entry support

If you are a robotics startup or integrator with a promising technology stuck at the prototype stage — ROBOTT-NET created a 4-stage pipeline that took technologies from TRL 5 feasibility studies through TRL 6 field trials to TRL 7+ installed solutions. Their network engaged over 1,200 end-users and developers, giving you direct access to potential customers and testing environments across Europe.

Food & Packaging

any

Target: Food processors or packaging companies exploring robotic handling

If you are a food or packaging company dealing with repetitive manual tasks and rising labor costs — this project's multidisciplinary approach combined robotics expertise from 5 partners to deliver complete automation solutions tested at real end-user sites. With 8 pilots reaching TRL 7 capabilities, these are not lab demos but field-proven systems ready for adaptation to your specific handling and packaging needs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access these robotics solutions?

The project data does not include specific pricing for individual solutions. However, ROBOTT-NET's model was built around shared infrastructure across 4 Research and Technology Organisations, which typically reduces costs compared to developing custom automation from scratch. Contact the consortium partners for current service pricing.

Can these robotic solutions work at industrial scale?

Yes. The project explicitly moved technologies through TRL 5 feasibility studies to TRL 7+ installed solutions at end-user sites. 8 pilots were installed in early field trials achieving at least TRL 7 capabilities, which means they were demonstrated in operational environments, not just labs.

Who owns the intellectual property from these pilots?

Based on available project data, IP arrangements are not detailed in the public objectives or deliverables. Since 4 of the 5 partners are Research and Technology Organisations, licensing terms would likely be negotiated per technology. Contact TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT (Denmark) as coordinator for IP and licensing details.

Is the network still active after the project ended in 2019?

The project aimed to create a sustainable European infrastructure that outlasts the funding period. The 4 RTOs (in Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the UK) have their own ongoing operations. Based on available project data, the sustainability model was a core design goal, but current activity should be verified directly.

How long does it take to go from idea to installed robot solution?

ROBOTT-NET designed a 4-stage process: technology promotion, then TRL 5 feasibility studies, then TRL 6 first field trials, then TRL 7+ complete installed solutions. The full project ran over 4 years (2016-2019) covering all stages, but individual solutions would move through faster once the infrastructure is in place.

Can this integrate with our existing production systems?

The 8 pilots were installed at actual end-user sites, meaning the solutions were designed to work alongside existing production setups rather than in isolated test cells. The multidisciplinary approach combined robotics with business feasibility studies to ensure practical fit. Specific integration requirements would depend on your setup.

What kind of support is available for implementation?

The consortium includes 4 Research and Technology Organisations across Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the UK, each with established national technology transfer structures. They offered technical and business feasibility studies as part of the process, meaning support goes beyond just delivering hardware.

Consortium

Who built it

The ROBOTT-NET consortium is lean and research-heavy: 4 out of 5 partners are Research and Technology Organisations, with 1 industry partner (also the only SME). This reflects the project's mission — it's a technology transfer infrastructure built by the institutions that do the transferring. The 4-country spread (Denmark, Germany, Spain, UK) covers major European manufacturing markets. TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT, the Danish coordinator, is one of Europe's largest RTOs with deep industrial robotics expertise. The 20% industry ratio is low for direct commercialization, but appropriate for a shared infrastructure project designed to serve external end-users — as evidenced by the 1,200+ companies and developers they engaged.

TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUTCoordinator · DK
FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATIONparticipant · ES
OCTANTIS TECNALIA GROUP, SLUthirdparty · ES
THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITEDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT (Danish Technological Institute), Denmark — one of Europe's leading RTOs with strong robotics and automation divisions

Order a report on this consortium See TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the ROBOTT-NET team or explore how their robotics transfer infrastructure can accelerate your automation plans? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you navigate the options.

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