Cobots Task Selection & ROI Matrix

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

Quick Guide

Use this form to capture a candidate task and the numeric inputs needed to estimate expected benefits and simple ROI for a cobot pilot. The form records technical suitability (complexity, variability, payload, environment) as well as business inputs (throughput, unit value, labor cost, costs to buy and integrate the cobot). The platform will save your input so you can compare multiple candidate tasks.

Key formulas (use these with the numbers you enter):

• Annual operating hours = hours_per_shift × shifts_per_day × days_per_year
• Annual units = current_throughput_per_hour × annual operating hours
• Additional units from cobot = Annual units × (expected_throughput_uplift_pct / 100)
• Value of additional units = Additional units × unit_value
• Estimated annual labor hours reduced = Additional units × (cycle_time_seconds / 3600) — adjust if multiple operators work the task
• Estimated annual labor savings = Estimated annual labor hours reduced × labor_cost_per_hour
• Estimated annual quality/scrap savings = current_annual_scrap_cost × (expected_scrap_reduction_pct / 100)
• Total annual benefit ≈ Value of additional units + labor savings + quality/scrap savings
• Simple payback (years) = (cobot_unit_cost + integration_cost) / Total annual benefit

Example (rounded): if a task currently produces 1 unit/min (60 units/hr), runs 8 hr/day, 2 shifts, 250 days/year → Annual units = 60 × 8 × 2 × 250 = 240,000. If cobot gives 10% uplift → Additional units = 24,000. At unit value $5 → Value = $120,000/year. If labor cost saved is $40,000/year and scrap savings $10,000/year, total benefit = $170,000. If total cost = $200,000 → payback ≈ 1.2 years.

Use the Notes field to record assumptions (e.g., who maintains the cell, expected reliability, operator acceptance plan). After saving, compare multiple task submissions to prioritize pilots.

","SubmitLabel":"Save Task Evaluation","SuccessMessage":"Task evaluation saved. You can submit additional tasks for comparison later.","DataType":"cobots.taskEvaluation.v1","SchemaVersion":"1.0","Fields":[{"Key":"task_name","FieldType":"text","Label":"Task name / short title","HelpText":"A concise name that identifies the task (e.g., 'Box Packing — Line 3').","Required":true},{"Key":"task_description","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Task description and key steps","HelpText":"Describe the steps the operator performs, any part orientations, fixturing, vision needs, or handoffs.","Required":false},{"Key":"task_complexity","FieldType":"scale","Label":"Task complexity","HelpText":"How complex is the manipulation, positioning or decision-making required? Higher means harder for a cobot to handle.","Required":true,"ScaleMin":1,"ScaleMax":5,"ScaleLabels":{"1":"Very simple","3":"Moderate","5":"Highly complex"}},{"Key":"cycle_time_seconds","FieldType":"number","Label":"Average cycle time (seconds per unit)","HelpText":"Operator cycle time for one unit or one repetition. Use seconds for precision (e.g., 45).","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"human_variability","FieldType":"scale","Label":"Human variability / consistency","HelpText":"How consistent are operators at this task? Higher means more variability (worse for quality/repeatability).","Required":true,"ScaleMin":1,"ScaleMax":5,"ScaleLabels":{"1":"Very consistent","3":"Moderate variability","5":"Highly variable"}},{"Key":"environmental_constraints","FieldType":"select","Label":"Environmental constraints","HelpText":"Factors that make integration harder (dust, temperature, moisture, tight spaces, moving conveyors).","Required":true,"Options":[{"Value":"low","Label":"Low — clean, controlled"},{"Value":"moderate","Label":"Moderate — some dust, vibration"},{"Value":"high","Label":"High — dirty, variable temps"},{"Value":"extreme","Label":"Extreme — explosive atmospheres, heavy washdown"}]},{"Key":"payload_kg","FieldType":"number","Label":"Typical payload (kg)","HelpText":"Typical part weight or payload the cobot must handle.","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"current_throughput_per_hour","FieldType":"number","Label":"Current throughput (units per hour)","HelpText":"Average number of completed units per hour today.","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"hours_per_shift","FieldType":"number","Label":"Hours per shift","HelpText":"Planned working hours per shift (exclude breaks as appropriate).","Required":true,"Min":0,"Max":24},{"Key":"shifts_per_day","FieldType":"number","Label":"Shifts per day","HelpText":"How many shifts the cell runs each day on average.","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"days_per_year","FieldType":"number","Label":"Operating days per year","HelpText":"Planned annual operating days (e.g., 250).","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"expected_throughput_uplift_pct","FieldType":"number","Label":"Expected throughput uplift (%)","HelpText":"Conservative estimate of percent throughput increase the cobot will enable (enter numeric percent, e.g., 10).","Required":true,"Min":0},{"Key":"unit_value","FieldType":"number","Label":"Value per unit (revenue or contribution margin)","HelpText":"Use the relevant value for decision-making (price, margin, or avoided cost). Clarify in Notes which you used.","Required":true,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"labor_cost_per_hour","FieldType":"number","Label":"Average fully-burdened labor cost ($/hour)","HelpText":"Include wages, benefits, and burden relevant to the operating labor performing the task.","Required":true,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"operators_per_unit","FieldType":"number","Label":"Operators per unit (effective)","HelpText":"If multiple operators work simultaneously on a unit, enter the effective number (usually 1). This adjusts labor-savings calculation.","Required":true,"Min":0.01,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"current_annual_scrap_cost","FieldType":"number","Label":"Current annual scrap/rework cost ($)","HelpText":"Approximate annual cost of scrap and rework for this task or line.","Required":false,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"expected_scrap_reduction_pct","FieldType":"number","Label":"Expected scrap reduction (%)","HelpText":"Estimate percent reduction in scrap/rework if cobot improves consistency. Enter 0 if none expected.","Required":false,"Min":0,"Max":100},{"Key":"cobot_unit_cost","FieldType":"number","Label":"Cobot unit cost ($)","HelpText":"Purchase or capital cost per cobot needed for this task. If pilot uses rental, enter equivalent capitalized cost.","Required":true,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"integration_cost","FieldType":"number","Label":"Integration & tooling cost ($)","HelpText":"Cost to integrate (end effector, vision, safety fencing if needed, PLC work, SW), pilot program costs and training for first cell.","Required":true,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"annual_maintenance_cost","FieldType":"number","Label":"Estimated annual maintenance / support cost ($)","HelpText":"Annual expected maintenance, spare parts, and service agreements relevant to total cost of ownership.","Required":false,"Min":0,"Step":0.01},{"Key":"pilot_duration_months","FieldType":"number","Label":"Pilot duration (months)","HelpText":"Planned length of the pilot. Use this to plan learning and measureability windows.","Required":false,"Min":0.1,"Step":0.1},{"Key":"operator_acceptance_risk","FieldType":"select","Label":"Operator acceptance risk","HelpText":"Quick risk estimate for operator acceptance and change management needs.","Required":true,"Options":[{"Value":"low","Label":"Low — operators likely to accept"},{"Value":"medium","Label":"Medium — will need engagement"},{"Value":"high","Label":"High — likely resistance"}]},{"Key":"notes","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Notes and assumptions","HelpText":"Record important assumptions, measurement plan for pilot (which metrics will be tracked), safety considerations, and who owns maintenance.","Required":false}],"HelpText":"After you submit, use the stored entries to compare candidate tasks. For faster prioritization, rank tasks by short payback and low integration complexity.","Version":"1"}