Quality Function Deployment (QFD) for human-robot collaboration (HRC): Systematic selection of key performance indicators in HRC

Abstract

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) has received significant attention in research, yet the assessment of successful implementations remains challenging. Reasons for the limited spread of HRC include technological limitations, safety concerns, lack of standardization, potential workforce resistance, regulatory issues, and the complexity of human tasks. Lacking standardized measurement criteria, coupled with a lack of systematic evaluation approaches, make it difficult to thoroughly assess the deployment of HRC scenarios. To address these limitations and facilitate management decisions, this paper introduces a decision-making framework. The framework focuses on the evaluation and ranking of potential HRC-key performance indicators (KPIs), by using Quality Function Deployment (QFD). By integrating the identified KPIs with the requirements of process owners, the framework aims to enhance the systematic assessment of HRC implementations, providing valuable insights for continuous improvement initiatives.