Cobots Task Selection & ROI Matrix

{ "Title": "Cobots Task Selection & ROI Matrix", "IntroductionHtml": "

Use this interactive worksheet to evaluate candidate tasks for cobot deployment. Score repeatability, variability, cycle time, payload, safety risk, and ergonomics; list required sensors and integration points; enter estimated costs and expected savings; and record clear pilot acceptance criteria. The form saves a complete task evaluation you can compare across candidates or export for pilot planning.

Quick guidance: prioritize tasks with high repeatability, short cycle time, tangible ergonomics or safety benefits, and a clear path to measurable annual savings. Enter conservative estimates. If you need automated calculations (sum, payback), see the Capability Enhancements notes below.

", "SubmitLabel": "Save Task Evaluation", "SuccessMessage": "Task evaluation saved. You can repeat this form for other candidate tasks and compare results.", "DataType": "CobotsTaskEvaluation", "SchemaVersion": "1.0", "Fields": [ { "Key": "taskName", "Label": "Task name", "FieldType": "text", "Required": true, "HelpText": "Short name (e.g., 'Pallet tacking', 'Screw insertion - assembly line 2')." }, { "Key": "processStep", "Label": "Process step / operation", "FieldType": "text", "HelpText": "Where in the line this task runs (station, line, or cell)." }, { "Key": "repeatability", "Label": "Repeatability (1-5)", "FieldType": "scale", "ScaleMin": 1, "ScaleMax": 5, "Required": true, "HelpText": "1 = very low (manual variability), 5 = very high (identical motion each cycle)." }, { "Key": "payloadKg", "Label": "Typical payload (kg)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Average part weight or handled mass; helps select cobot models." }, { "Key": "cycleTimeSec", "Label": "Cycle time (seconds)", "FieldType": "number", "Required": true, "HelpText": "Time for one complete operation or takt time portion handled by the task." }, { "Key": "variability", "Label": "Part / process variability (1-5)", "FieldType": "scale", "ScaleMin": 1, "ScaleMax": 5, "HelpText": "1 = consistent parts and fixturing, 5 = high variability (different part styles, random orientations)." }, { "Key": "ergonomicsBenefit", "Label": "Ergonomics / operator health benefit (1-5)", "FieldType": "scale", "ScaleMin": 1, "ScaleMax": 5, "HelpText": "Rate the potential to reduce strain, awkward postures, heavy lifting, or repetitive motion." }, { "Key": "safetyRisk", "Label": "Safety risk from manual operation (1-5)", "FieldType": "scale", "ScaleMin": 1, "ScaleMax": 5, "HelpText": "1 = minimal risk, 5 = significant injury risk (pinch points, heavy loads, hazardous tasks)." }, { "Key": "cellLayoutNotes", "Label": "Cell layout & footprint considerations", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Notes about available floor space, proximity to conveyors, access for maintenance, and potential safety fencing or shared workspaces." }, { "Key": "sensorsRequired", "Label": "Sensors & integration points required", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Options": [ { "Value": "vision", "Label": "Vision / camera" }, { "Value": "forceTorque", "Label": "Force / torque sensor" }, { "Value": "proximity", "Label": "Proximity / photoelectric" }, { "Value": "safetyCurtain", "Label": "Light curtain / safety scanner" }, { "Value": "safetyPLC", "Label": "Safety PLC / safety controller" }, { "Value": "conveyorInterface", "Label": "Conveyor / line interface (I/O)" }, { "Value": "hmi", "Label": "Operator HMI / teach pendant" }, { "Value": "other", "Label": "Other (describe below)" } ], "HelpText": "Select any that apply; these determine integration scope and cost." }, { "Key": "otherSensors", "Label": "Other sensors or integration notes", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "Describe custom sensors, PLC protocols, vision tool requirements, barcode/RFID needs, or vendor constraints." }, { "Key": "estimatedCobotCost", "Label": "Estimated cobot hardware cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Purchase price for robot arm and basic end-effector." }, { "Key": "endEffectorCost", "Label": "End-effector & tooling cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number" }, { "Key": "integrationHardwareCost", "Label": "Integration hardware cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Enclosures, cabling, PLC I/O modules, safety devices." }, { "Key": "integrationSoftwareCost", "Label": "Integration software / licensing cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Vision software, robot license, MES connector, or cloud fees." }, { "Key": "installationCommissioningCost", "Label": "Installation & commissioning cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Site labor, system testing, and first-article runs." }, { "Key": "trainingCost", "Label": "Operator & maintenance training cost (USD)", "FieldType": "number" }, { "Key": "totalEstimatedInvestment", "Label": "Total estimated investment (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Sum of hardware, integration, installation, tooling, and training. You may enter the sum manually or use this as a placeholder for a later automated calculation." }, { "Key": "fullyLoadedLaborHourlyCost", "Label": "Fully loaded labor cost per hour (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Include wages, benefits, and overhead." }, { "Key": "hoursSavedPerShift", "Label": "Estimated operator hours saved per shift", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "If cobot replaces or cuts operator time in this task, estimate hours saved per shift." }, { "Key": "shiftsPerDay", "Label": "Shifts per day", "FieldType": "number", "Default": 1 }, { "Key": "workdaysPerYear", "Label": "Workdays per year", "FieldType": "number", "Default": 250 }, { "Key": "estimatedAnnualLaborSavings", "Label": "Estimated annual labor savings (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Labor savings = fullyLoadedLaborHourlyCost * hoursSavedPerShift * shiftsPerDay * workdaysPerYear (enter your calculated value)." }, { "Key": "estimatedAnnualQualitySavings", "Label": "Estimated annual quality savings (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Estimated reduction in scrap, rework, warranty or inspection costs." }, { "Key": "estimatedAnnualThroughputValue", "Label": "Estimated annual throughput value (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Value of additional units produced * margin per unit (if throughput increases)." }, { "Key": "estimatedAnnualSavingsTotal", "Label": "Estimated total annual savings (USD)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Sum of labor + quality + throughput savings. Enter your computed total." }, { "Key": "simplePaybackYears", "Label": "Simple payback (years)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Total estimated investment / estimated total annual savings (leave blank to compute offline)." }, { "Key": "expectedThroughputIncreasePercent", "Label": "Expected throughput increase (%)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Estimated percent change in throughput attributable to the cobot." }, { "Key": "expectedUptimeIncreasePercent", "Label": "Expected uptime / availability improvement (%)", "FieldType": "number", "HelpText": "Estimate reduced downtime due to automation or fewer manual interruptions." }, { "Key": "pilotDurationWeeks", "Label": "Suggested pilot duration (weeks)", "FieldType": "number", "Default": 6, "HelpText": "Common pilot durations range from 4-12 weeks depending on complexity." }, { "Key": "pilotAcceptanceCriteria", "Label": "Pilot acceptance criteria (check all that apply)", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Options": [ { "Value": "repeatabilityTarget", "Label": "Meets repeatability / cycle variability targets" }, { "Value": "noQualityRegression", "Label": "No negative quality impact (no increase in defects)" }, { "Value": "throughputTarget", "Label": "Throughput improvement meets target" }, { "Value": "operatorAcceptance", "Label": "Operator acceptance and comfortable handover" }, { "Value": "safetyValidated", "Label": "Safety controls and interlocks validated" }, { "Value": "maintenanceReady", "Label": "Maintenance procedures and spares list in place" }, { "Value": "roiThreshold", "Label": "ROI / payback within target timeframe" } ] }, { "Key": "observedPilotMetrics", "Label": "Observed pilot metrics (notes)", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "During the pilot, capture actual cycle times, scrap counts, uptime, and other real measurements." }, { "Key": "operatorEngagementPlan", "Label": "Operator & stakeholder engagement plan", "FieldType": "textarea", "HelpText": "How operators will be involved in pilot design, testing, and acceptance. Include training & feedback loops." }, { "Key": "nextSteps", "Label": "Recommended next steps", "FieldType": "textarea" }, { "Key": "notes", "Label": "Additional notes", "FieldType": "textarea" } ] }