Prioritizing the Selection Factors of Collaborative Robots (Cobots) for Assembly Lines by Best Worst Method

Abstract

To adapt to the changes in today's industry, the use of collaborative robots (cobots) in production has become increasingly widespread. Manufacturers have adopted the flexibility and integration capabilities of cobots with existing production systems in order to quickly adapt to changing product demands and varieties, especially in assembly lines, and to get ahead in the competition. However, this situation confronts industrial practitioners with a complex decision-making stage, including technical, economic and operational, in choosing the most suitable cobots for their goals and investment opportunities. In the decision-making stage, determining the most effective criteria affecting the selection of cobots will help decision makers make accurate and reliable decisions. Therefore, in this study, the basic criteria affecting the selection of cobots in assembly lines were determined by expert opinions and literature research. The determined criteria were weighted under four main categories, namely technical, operational, economic and human factors, by expert decision makers using the Best Worst Method (BWM). In the light of the findings obtained, it is concluded that Precision and Repeatability is determined as the most important factor. This study aims to both guide industrial practitioners and fill the existing gap in literature by presenting the important factors for cobot selection process.