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Enhancing inclusion of workers with disabilities in manufacturing: a human-robot collaborative assembly line balancing optimization model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Human-centered technologies play a key role in the Industry 5.0 paradigm and can be the driver for greater diversity, equity and inclusion. This study explores the potential of cobots to promote the inclusion of workers with physical disabilities. Existing research on disability inclusion in manufacturing mainly focuses on sheltered workshops and manual assembly lines. Here, a Constraint Programming optimization model is proposed to balance a human-robot collaborative assembly line that includes workers with disabilities. Specifically, this research explores how cobots can support or complement workers facing task incompatibilities or longer execution times with a multi-objective approach considering cycle time, inclusivity, costs, and incentives. The findings show that when considering workers with same level of disability (i.e., same incompatibility ratio), but with different capabilities, the personal characteristics have a significant impact in a manual environment, while cobots help maintain line performance reducing the effect of individual abilities. However, this benefit comes with higher unit costs. The main contribution of this study is to elucidate the role of cobots in the trade-off between operational performance and inclusivity.

Source: IFAC-PapersOnLine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.09.438

Authors: Matteo Cais, Giovanna Culot, Lorenzo Scalera, Antonella Meneghetti

Institution: University of Udine

Language: English

Topic: Assembly Line Balancing Optimization

Subfield: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Università degli Studi di Udine