04Automation matrix · ROI
From use case to return on investment
Find which robot family fits each task and simulate, with visible and editable assumptions, when a fleet pays back against manual operations.
Last reviewed: 2026-11Methodology & sources →
Sector finder
What do you want to automate?
Pick a sector to see use cases, the real platforms that fit and the framework's guide payback range.
Infrastructure inspection
- Tunnel monitoring
- High-voltage lines
- Offshore platforms
- Autonomy & network
- Level 2–3 · standalone or coordinated
- Required sensor fusion
- Thermal + 3D LiDAR + visual SLAM
- Guide payback range (level D)
- 12–15 monthsRemoves human risk at height and in confined spaces.D· Editorial estimate
Tasks vs. market matrix
Automation matrix
Business use case crossed with robot family, autonomy level and network, required sensor fusion and estimated ROI. Click a row to select it.
| Business use case | Main robot family | Autonomy & network | Required sensor fusion | Guide payback range (level D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground AMRs / delivery drones | Level 3–4 · coordinated with a central hub | LiDAR + RGB cameras + GPS/GNSS | 18–24 months Up to 40% lower urban delivery costs. | |
Quadrupeds / tactical UAVs | Level 2–3 · standalone or coordinated | Thermal + 3D LiDAR + visual SLAM | 12–15 months Removes human risk at height and in confined spaces. | |
Humanoids / mobile manipulators | Level 2 · teleoperation-assisted | Depth cameras + haptics | 24–36 months Operational continuity in hazardous facilities. | |
Quadrupeds / wheeled AMRs | Level 4 · coordinated | Radar + thermal + PTZ RGB | 12–18 months 24/7 coverage and automated deterrence. |
The payback ranges and benefits in this matrix come from the project's framework document, not from public evidence: they are an editorial estimate (level D). None of the documented cases publishes its payback period.
Dynamic ROI calculator
Simulate your fleet's payback
Tune your current operation and fleet. The model compares cumulative manual vs. robotic cost over 36 months.
3 · Results
Within the guide rangeFramework guide range · level D · Infrastructure inspection: 12–15 mo
- Upfront investment
- $365K
- Monthly saving
- $26.6K
- 36-mo TCO · manual
- $4.4M
- 36-mo TCO · robotic
- $3.8M
- TCO reduction
- 13.4 %
- 36-month ROI
- 163 %
- Uptime increase
- +13 %
- Hours covered by robots
- 40 %
Cumulative cost of manual vs. robotic operation (capex and integration included in month 0).
- Manual
- Robotic
- Payback
Annual breakdown
| Manual | Robotic | |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | $1,296,480 | $774,647 |
| Supervision | $0 | $202,575 |
| Maintenance | $0 | $29,400 |
| Software | $0 | $32,000 |
| Incidents | $118,260 | $82,560 |
| Risk premium | $64,824 | $38,732 |
| Total | $1,479,564 | $1,159,914 |
Sensitivity: what moves the payback
Payback period when each driver moves ±20% with everything else unchanged. The longest bars are the assumptions most worth verifying in your pilot.
- −20%
- +20%
- Current scenario: 13.7 months
months
Methodology & assumptions
The model's formula and where every default comes from. Labour cost is official data (level A) and a quadruped price is a press reference (C); everything else is an editorial assumption (D) that you should replace with your own operating data and quotes.
Formula
- 1.Monthly manual cost = (demanded hours × hourly cost) × (1 + risk premium) + incidents × cost per incident × risk multiplier, all ÷ 12.
- 2.Monthly robotic cost = (residual hours × hourly cost + supervision + maintenance + software + residual incidents) ÷ 12.
- 3.Upfront investment = Σ (units × capex) + integration, in month 0.
- 4.Payback (months) = upfront investment ÷ (monthly manual cost − monthly robotic cost).
| Incidents | Risk premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Low | ×1 | 0 % |
| Medium | ×1.5 | 5 % |
| High | ×2.5 | 12 % |
D· Editorial estimate
Limits: no inflation, financing, residual value, taxes or learning curve. The model treats robot coverage as hour substitution, whereas in practice it usually changes the task. Useful for ranking decisions, not for budgeting.
All amounts are in the chosen currency; no conversion is applied.
Orientative model, not financial advice. Validate the assumptions with your own operating data and real quotes from manufacturers and integrators.
| Assumption | Default value | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly labour cost | €37 (euro area 2024: €37.3; US: $46.15) | A | [Eurostat, 2025][U.S. Bureau of Labor…, 2026] |
| Quadruped capex | 120,000 (Spot 2020 base: $74,500 without payloads, dock or software) | C | [TechCrunch, 2020][IEEE Spectrum, 2020] |
| Humanoid capex | 200,000 (no public price for industrial humanoids) | D | [The Robot Report] |
| UGV / AMR capex | 45,000 | D | — |
| Drone + dock capex | 45,000 | D | — |
| Annual maintenance | 10–15% of capex | D | — |
| Software & fleet management | 8,000–25,000 per unit per year | D | — |
| Labour hours covered per robot | 10–16 h/day | D | — |
| Robot availability | 92% | D | — |
| Supervision | 1 supervisor per 6 robots, at 1.25× hourly cost | D | — |
| Integration | 80,000 (inspection scenario) | D | — |
| Incident rate and cost | 1.5% of tasks · 150 per incident | D | — |
| Robot residual error | 25% of the manual rate | D | — |
| Risk multipliers | ×1 / ×1.5 / ×2.5 and 0 / 5 / 12% premium | D | — |
| Matrix payback ranges | 12–36 months by use case (framework document) | D | — |
| Use-case scenarios | Example values, not customer data | D | — |