Optimizing Cost and Value Through Technical Functional Analysis in the Development of a Humanoid Robot Concept

Abstract

The paper presents an application of technical functional analysis in the first stages of developing a prototype of a humanoid robot intended for advanced human–robot interaction. The primary goal of this study is to improve the robot's performance such as automation and human assistance. Identifying and classifying critical functions plays a key role in the development of such robots, contributing to the identification of technological and competitive advantages. The study's methodology includes defining the basic need, based on which the authors identified the main function as primary, secondary and tertiary. These functions were organized into a hierarchical structure and weighted to determine their relative significance, followed by an evaluation from both technical and economic perspectives. Using the least squares method, the cost-effectiveness of these functions was analyzed and results the development of an optimal conceptual framework for the humanoid robot's design. Several functions were identified for further optimization in terms of lowering their costs in relation to the value they bring to the humanoid robot concept. Several iterations of TFA were implemented to develop the final optimum concept.