Abstract Over the past few decades, collaborative robots (cobots) have emerged as a key element in the advancement of smart industries and the transition to Industry 5.0, facilitating operations alongside human workers to reduce both cognitive and physical strain. Cobots have primarily been used for tasks such as material handling, assembly and precise positioning, but their integration into quality control and inspection remains underexplored. Using a mixed-methods approach, this paper conducts a thorough investi…

Abstract With the advent of Industry 4.0 and the impending shift towards Industry 5.0, the integration of human–robot collaboration (HRC) into production systems has become increasingly widespread. This paradigm shift leverages collaborative robots, or cobots, to mitigate physical and mental strain on human workers, thereby increasing productivity and improving overall quality performance. This paper investigates the interplay of productivity and quality factors with assembly complexity in both manual and collabor…

In recent years, the food industry has faced a number of complex challenges related to both quality control and sustainability. Ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction remains a cornerstone of the food industry, supported by stringent standards that address the risks of contamination and spoilage. However, variability in raw materials, processing techniques and storage conditions are just some of the factors that affect quality in the food industry. To manage this high variability, it is essential to analyse the…