The gap between researchers who carry out scientific exploration and practitioners who can make use of the research results is well known. In addition, while practitioners place a high value on research, they do not read many research papers. This paper attempts to define
and prioritise future research in robotics using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Fifteen
research alternatives and gaps, five performance criteria, eight industry types, and six
production processes, investigated by both academics and practitioners, are filtered to six
alternatives, four performance criteria, three industry types, and three production processes,
respectively, based on the most important factors in decision-making. Subsequently, they are
analysed by the Expert Choice software. This research aims at bridging the gap between
academics and practitioners in robotics research and at conducting research that is relevant to
industry. The results indicate that the research in multi-robot control ranked first with 26.8%,
followed by the research in safe control with 23.3% and the research in remote robot
supervision with 19.0%. The research in force control ranked fourth with 17.8%, followed by
the research in 3D vision and wireless communication with 8.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
Based on the results, the academics involved in robotics research should direct their effort to
the research activities that received the highest priority in the AHP model.