## 2 A Method for Assessing the Maturity Level of Key Areas in Manufacturing Companies
### Characteristics of the Key Area
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{r r l} \hline \hline
**Level Characteristic** & & \multicolumn{1}{c}{**Description and Recommendations**} \\ \hline  & \(\bullet\) & Redundancy—N/A or optional, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Application of AI methods—N/A or optional (mostly in combination with vision systems; available intelligence functions adopted on the side of optional sensors or its software), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Methods for optimizing energy efficiency—optimization of programming paths (elimination of unnecessary movements, gentle movements with minimized acceleration values, use of inertia force for energy recovery, activation of standby mode), hardware optimization (choosing the right type of robot, high-efficiency and low-friction drive motors and transmissions, use of regenerative brakes, and variable-speed drives), process optimization (adjusting cycle times, employee education, maximizing OEE), maintenance and operation level (appropriate maintenance programs, use of monitoring and energy management systems). \\ \hline  & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & \(\bullet\) & Free programming and reprogramming of motion paths while optimizing operating parameters (increasing efficiency, productivity, safety, and quality of the handled process), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Reorganization of production processes by changing the configuration and setup of machines, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Integration capability—creation of classic automated and scalable production systems, integration with Industry 4.0 technologies (creating intelligent, interconnected production systems with more excellent responsiveness and autonomy), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Increased precision and accuracy (e.g., welding, painting, assembly, machining, assembly), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Increased productivity—24/7 working, optimization of production cycle times, increased overall efficiency, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Flexibility and adaptability (within design, software, and application constraints), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Benefits of cobots or conventional robots upgraded to cobort functionalities—maintaining the required level of safety without the need for inflexible equipment (use of built-in sensors and systems for collision detection), space-saving (compact, mobile stations, no fences), ease of installation and integration into existing production systems, adaptation to small batch production (reprogramming on-the-fly, Low-Code and No-Code). \\ Advantages & Human resources: \\  & \(\bullet\) & Familiarizing employees with advanced technology (operation of robots and examples of the benefits of such implementations), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Increase occupational safety (reduction in injuries and accidents), improved ergonomics, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Risk elimination of staff shortages while creating new jobs of higher value (higher qualifications and wages). \\  & \(\bullet\) & Change in methods and organization of processes (production planning and scheduling, internal intralogistics, warehousing), improving workflow (the ability to support with business process automation tools), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Increase process agility, efficiency, and performance (minimization of time to market, maximization of quality and repeatability, increase in employee and customer satisfaction), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Long-term cost reduction (with the condition of appropriate change management), \\  & \(\bullet\) & Production scalability without significant changes to the production infrastructure, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Facilitation of the adaptation of technological innovations (advanced control systems, integration with AI systems, or the use of data analytics to optimize processes). \\ \hline  & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & \(\bullet\) & The need for additional equipment and instrumentation (grippers, gripper changers, specialized tools, tool changes), the provision of extra utilities, functional safety systems, and other elements required to achieve the expected functionalities. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Human resources: \\  & \(\bullet\) & The need for experienced maintenance staff or rapidly available outsourcing providers and programmers. \\ Disadvantages & Processes: \\  & \(\bullet\) & Cost of increased productivity (hardware, equipment, and software) and associated fees (order management, production customers, warehousing, logistics, marketing, and advertising)—the need to achieve business development with stable product demand, \\  & \(\bullet\) & The need to develop and formalize procedures (in case of breakdowns, downtimes, power failures) and flexibility analysis (development of scenarios for rapid change of assortments or orders). \\ \hline  & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & \(\bullet\) & Grouping of machines to build production cells or lines with the desired level of flexibility and efficiency, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Analysis of machine reconfiguration in terms of retrofitting of input, output, and buffer storage stations (achieving autonomy of operation in the long term). \\ Growth & Human resources: \\ opportunities & \(\bullet\) & Identification of interdisciplinary team leaders (intralogistics, production, warehousing, quality control, production planning, etc.) to build flexible cross-departmental transport, \\  & \(\bullet\) & Improving knowledge and competencies in the field of mobile robots and changes in production organization due to robot implementation. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}