Bari - 22 & 23 September 2025

On September 22–23, 2025, at the Masmec headquarters in Modugno (Bari), the European project AutoMat reached a key milestone with its first Review Meeting, officially marking the halfway point of the project. Unlike previous General Assemblies, which mainly served as internal alignment moments for partners to coordinate activities and objectives, the Review Meeting represented a formal evaluation in front of the European Commission. During this event, progress made so far was presented and the overall project performance assessed, while also receiving valuable suggestions and feedback from European representatives.

The first day was dedicated to an in-depth internal review: each partner presented their work to the consortium and received constructive feedback from the other participants. This exchange was particularly enriching, as it allowed different perspectives to emerge and, in many cases, highlighted each partner’s results through the suggestions of others. Almost all consortium partners were physically present, while those unable to travel joined remotely, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive discussion.

The second day featured the official Review Meeting, attended by Project Officer Susana Xará and connected remotely by Reviewer Paulo Manuel Cadete Ferrao. Starting from the first Work Package, each partner presented the results achieved, the deliverables already submitted, and the status of the KPIs, receiving targeted feedback and helpful advice for the continuation of the project.

After lunch, participants had the opportunity to visit Masmec’s laboratories and observe firsthand the activities related to the first phase of Pilot 1, before returning to continue the Review Meeting with further presentations and discussions.

This was a highly valuable moment, confirming that the project is moving in the right direction-almost like a “midterm exam.” For AutoMat, it was an honor to host the Project Officer and benefit from her insights, which further strengthen the consortium’s commitment to achieving the project’s objectives.