TERRINet · Project

One-Stop Access to Europe's Top 15 Robotics Research Labs for Industry

manufacturingTestedTRL 6Thin data (2/5)

Europe has some of the best robotics labs in the world, but they all work differently — different equipment, different rules, different ways to get in. Imagine trying to book time at 15 different gyms that each have their own membership system. TERRINet built a single front door: one website, one application process, and standardized procedures so that any company or researcher can access world-class robotics facilities across 8 countries without navigating each lab's bureaucracy separately.

By the numbers

partner facilities networked across Europe

countries covered by the infrastructure network

universities providing robotics research access

dedicated research organizations in the network

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies developing robotic systems — whether for manufacturing, logistics, surgery, or agriculture — often need access to specialized robotics labs for testing and validation. Building your own research-grade facility costs millions. Contacting individual universities across Europe means navigating different application processes, equipment standards, and access rules for each one.

The solution

What was built

TERRINet built a coordinated network of 15 robotics research facilities across 8 European countries, unified by a web-based access portal and a training platform with materials for users. The project produced 42 deliverables including the portal, press releases documenting outreach, and a closing conference.

Audience

Who needs this

Automotive companies testing robotic assembly line prototypesLogistics firms evaluating warehouse automation robotsMedTech startups developing surgical or rehabilitation robotsAgriTech companies building robotic harvesting or inspection systemsIndustrial automation integrators benchmarking new robotic platforms

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive & Mobility

enterprise

Target: Automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers developing robotic assembly or autonomous systems

If you are an automotive manufacturer testing new robotic assembly concepts but lack in-house research-grade robotics labs — TERRINet built a network of 15 partner facilities across 8 countries with a single web portal for access. Instead of building your own lab or negotiating with each university separately, you apply once and get matched to the right facility for your specific robotics challenge.

Logistics & Warehousing

mid-size

Target: Logistics companies exploring warehouse automation and robotic picking

If you are a logistics operator evaluating robotic sorting or picking solutions but need to test prototypes in a proper research environment — TERRINet created harmonized access to 15 robotics facilities across Europe with training materials via a web-based portal. You can test and validate your automation concepts using equipment and expertise you could not afford to maintain in-house.

Medical Devices & Surgical Robotics

any

Target: MedTech companies developing surgical or rehabilitation robots

If you are a medical device company developing robotic-assisted surgery or rehabilitation tools and need access to specialized robotics testing infrastructure — TERRINet connected 11 universities and 4 research organizations into one accessible network. Their web portal and training platform let you find the right lab, the right equipment, and the right expertise for your specific medical robotics R&D challenge.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does it cost to access these robotics facilities?

The project data does not specify pricing for facility access. During the project period (2017-2022), access for researchers was typically funded through the EU grant. Post-project, individual facilities may charge their own rates — contact the coordinator for current access terms.

Can this work at industrial scale or is it just for academic research?

TERRINet was designed to serve both academia and industry, with the objective explicitly mentioning 'talented researchers from academia and industry worldwide.' However, the consortium itself has 0 industrial partners (11 universities, 4 research organizations), so the primary orientation is research-grade infrastructure rather than production-scale facilities.

What about intellectual property if we use these labs?

Based on available project data, IP arrangements are not detailed in the deliverables. As a research infrastructure network, IP terms would likely be negotiated individually with each host facility. This is a standard consideration when using third-party research infrastructure.

Is the network still operational after the project ended in 2022?

The project objective states that databases, tools, and methodologies were designed to 'remain operational after the end of the project.' A closing conference was held and the website (terrinet.eu) was built as a lasting resource. However, current operational status should be verified directly.

How do we actually get access to a facility?

TERRINet built a web-based portal specifically to enable users to access training opportunities and material across the network. The portal serves as the single entry point to the 15 partner facilities across 8 countries, replacing the need to contact each lab individually.

What types of robotics research can these facilities support?

The network covers robotics as a 'transdisciplinary area' spanning manufacturing, space, and medicine applications. With 15 partners including leading European robotics institutions, the complementary capabilities cover a wide spectrum of robotics science and engineering disciplines.

Consortium

Who built it

The TERRINet consortium is entirely academic and research-oriented: 11 universities and 4 research organizations across 8 countries (Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, UK, Switzerland, Slovenia), with zero industrial partners and zero SMEs. This 100% research composition is typical for infrastructure-building projects but signals that the network was designed by researchers for researchers. The coordinator, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Italy, is a top European robotics institution. For a business looking to access these facilities, the lack of industry partners means you would be the first commercial user navigating a primarily academic environment — which can mean cutting-edge equipment but potentially slower response times and unfamiliar commercial terms.

SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNACoordinator · IT
IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINEparticipant · UK
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
UNIVERSITEIT TWENTEparticipant · NL
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNEparticipant · CH
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASthirdparty · ES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, BRISTOLparticipant · UK
FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAparticipant · IT
UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYAparticipant · ES
KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIEparticipant · DE
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
UNIVERSITE DE TOULOUSEthirdparty · FR
UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANIparticipant · SI
UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLAparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Pisa, Italy) — search for TERRINet project coordinator at santannapisa.it for direct contact

Order a report on this consortium See SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with Europe's leading robotics research labs? SciTransfer can identify which TERRINet facility matches your specific R&D challenge and arrange a direct introduction.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0