Cobots Task Selection & ROI Matrix

Interactive evaluation form and ROI worksheet to score candidate tasks for cobot pilots, capture safety & integration requirements, estimate costs and savings, and record pilot acceptance criteria.

Interactive Tool

Cobots Task Selection & ROI Matrix

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.

Short name (e.g., 'Pallet tacking', 'Screw insertion - assembly line 2').
Where in the line this task runs (station, line, or cell).
1 = very low (manual variability), 5 = very high (identical motion each cycle).
1.0 10.0
Average part weight or handled mass; helps select cobot models.
Time for one complete operation or takt time portion handled by the task.
1 = consistent parts and fixturing, 5 = high variability (different part styles, random orientations).
1.0 10.0
Rate the potential to reduce strain, awkward postures, heavy lifting, or repetitive motion.
1.0 10.0
1 = minimal risk, 5 = significant injury risk (pinch points, heavy loads, hazardous tasks).
1.0 10.0
Notes about available floor space, proximity to conveyors, access for maintenance, and potential safety fencing or shared workspaces.
Select any that apply; these determine integration scope and cost.
Describe custom sensors, PLC protocols, vision tool requirements, barcode/RFID needs, or vendor constraints.
Purchase price for robot arm and basic end-effector.
Enclosures, cabling, PLC I/O modules, safety devices.
Vision software, robot license, MES connector, or cloud fees.
Site labor, system testing, and first-article runs.
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.
Include wages, benefits, and overhead.
If cobot replaces or cuts operator time in this task, estimate hours saved per shift.
Labor savings = fullyLoadedLaborHourlyCost * hoursSavedPerShift * shiftsPerDay * workdaysPerYear (enter your calculated value).
Estimated reduction in scrap, rework, warranty or inspection costs.
Value of additional units produced * margin per unit (if throughput increases).
Sum of labor + quality + throughput savings. Enter your computed total.
Total estimated investment / estimated total annual savings (leave blank to compute offline).
Estimated percent change in throughput attributable to the cobot.
Estimate reduced downtime due to automation or fewer manual interruptions.
Common pilot durations range from 4-12 weeks depending on complexity.
During the pilot, capture actual cycle times, scrap counts, uptime, and other real measurements.
How operators will be involved in pilot design, testing, and acceptance. Include training & feedback loops.
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