Making Informed Decisions: Supporting Cobot Integration Considering Business and Worker Preferences

Robots are ubiquitous in manufacturing settings from small-scale to large-scale. While collaborative robots (cobots) have significant potential in these settings due to their flexibility and ease of use, they can only reach their full potential when properly integrated. Specifically, cobots need to be integrated in a manner that properly utilizes their strengths, improves the performance of the manufacturing process, and can be used in concert with human workers. Understanding how to properly integrate cobots into existing manufacturing workflows requires careful consideration and the knowledge of roboticists, manufacturing engineers, and business administrators. In this work, we propose an approach to collaborating with manufacturers prior to the integration process that involves planning, analysis, development, and presentation of results. This approach ultimately allows manufacturers to make an informed choice about cobot integration within their facilities. We illustrate the application of this approach through a case study with a manufacturing collaborator and discuss insights learned throughout the process.