Title: Application of multicriteria decision making for selection of robotic system using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process

Authors: M. Dev Anand, T. Selvaraj, S. Kumanan, M. Austin Johnny

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli 620 015, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli 620 015, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli 620 015, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of EEE, C.S.I Institute of Technology, Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Selection of a robotic system is an important task for the dynamic scenario. Improper selection may adversely affect a firm|s production by reducing the quality of the product, thereby reducing productivity as well as profitability. In order to select a suitable robotic system for a specified job, several factors have to be considered. Investment decisions for robotic system are capital intensive and are usually made by a committee of experts from different functional backgrounds within a company. Ignoring this factor, most models for robot or robotic system selection assume that there is only a single decision maker. This paper discuss, a robotic system selection model incorporating the inputs from multiple decision makers. This model is based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method and both the subjective and objective criteria for robotics system selection are used. It does not assume the consensus of the decision makers; that is, they may not agree on evaluations of the system with respect to each of the criteria. The objective of this work is to explain how, the FAHP model is used in the selection of robotics system. Some technical requirement factors also have been considered for the case study.

Keywords: fuzzy multicriteria decision making; fuzzy AHP; analytical hierarchy process; FAHP; robotic system selection; robots; robot investment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2008.016043

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2008 Vol.9 No.1, pp.75 - 98

Published online: 03 Dec 2007 *

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