Workshop on good practices on increased accessibility of research/innovation infrastructure to industry for testing, demonstration and co-creation : test beds as drivers for EU growth and innovation : 30 November - 1 December 2017, Gothenburg, Sweden

Test beds and research infrastructures are platforms that generate and share knowledge to address megatrends and support research and innovation (R&I) efforts to increase the European Union's (EU) competitiveness. A well-developed ecosystem for transforming knowledge into products and services is vital for any knowledge economy. State of the art Research Infrastructures provide key services to the various scientific communities allowing them to extend the frontiers of knowledge and thus strengthening Europe's internationally leading scientific role. Examples of research infrastructures are CERN or the European Spallation Source (ESS). For industry, it is equally important to have access to high quality and advanced test and demonstration (T&D) facilities, or test beds, as it is for the scientific community to have access to adequate research infrastructures. Test beds are essential to be able to improve products, services and processes and to develop new concepts to meet e.g., changing customer needs. Testbeds, or test environments, also allow companies to verify ideas and concepts under real conditions and by doing so, lower the risk before market introduction and to get ideas and concepts faster to the market. Examples of test beds are AstaZero or Biorukki Pilot Center Infrastructure. R&I is crucial for Europe's industries to remain competitive, deliver sustainable growth and jobs, and face increased competition from the likes of Asia. Europe needs to open up its innovation infrastructures, intensify collaboration and exploit its collective knowledge. Test beds can support knowledge sharing and co-creation, in order to take advantage of the Single Market and streamline technology deployment. They are driven by industry demands and societal needs in diverse fields such as healthcare, communication and transport. The EU can play an important role by promoting a collaborative approach in order to develop critical mass and a one-stop-shop to facilitate test bed access.