The ABB YuMi comes in two versions: the single-arm model and the dual-arm IRB 14000. Both are insanely precise, and both top out at 0.5 kg payload. That’s fine if you’re handling watch batteries. But if you need real flexibility, heavier picks, or just don’t want to stand next to the setup all day, RO1’s in another league.

YuMi best fits tasks with tiny parts, tight tolerances, and fixed cells. RO1 is the cobot you drop into a fast-moving line without redesigning the whole shop.

Overview: ABB YuMi vs. RO1 at a glance

ABB’s YuMi lineup includes a compact single-arm model and the dual-arm IRB 14000, both focused on ultra-precise, low-payload stuff. 

• YuMi (single-arm): Best for small-parts assembly where footprint and precision matter more than payload.
  
  
• YuMi IRB 14000 (dual-arm): Designed for synchronized hand-to-hand work, especially in electronics and medical.

RO1 takes a different route. Higher payload at 18 kg, broader use cases, more flexibility, and a setup that doesn’t need you to go back to school again. Plus, its price tag won’t make your stomach sink to the floor. 

RO1 vs. ABB YuMi: At a glance

YuMi might win the industrial design award, but RO1’s out here stacking boxes, tending CNCs, and doing actual work. This side-by-side breakdown shows what each robot brings to the floor, and what they leave behind.

RO1 vs. ABB YuMi: Feature comparison table

We’re breaking down the key specs, one feature at a time, from payload and precision to which you can actually set up without stress. YuMi might win on finesse, but RO1 brings the muscle.

ABB YuMi price vs. RO1 price

You can’t talk cobots without talking cash, and this is where things get loud. ABB YuMi’s pricing depends on the model, accessories, and how many integrations you want to pay for. RO1? One flat number, and it actually means what it says.

• ABB YuMi (single-arm): Starts around $31K to $35K, but that doesn’t include vision, grippers, mounting, or integration.
  
  
• ABB YuMi IRB 14000 (dual-arm): Easily hits $50K+ once you factor in two arms, vision sync, and ABB’s traditional setup stack.
  
  
• RO1: $37K flat, no upcharges, no integrator dependency, and 3D vision already built in.

Winner: For 90% of modern jobs, RO1 pays off faster, with way less overhead. If you’re doing one job forever, YuMi might justify the spend.

‍

Performance, payload & precision

YuMi wins on precision — no question. Both models clock in at ±0.02 mm, which is surgical-level accuracy. But when you need to move anything heavier than a wristwatch, RO1 takes over fast.

What can each robot actually handle?

• YuMi (single-arm): 0.5 kg payload, 559 mm reach. Solid for lightweight tasks, but locked out of anything high-volume or mid-weight.
  
  
• YuMi (dual-arm): Same 0.5 kg per arm. Great for hand-off motions, not so great for anything that tips the scale.
  
  
• RO1: 18 kg payload, 1300 mm reach, ±0.025 mm repeatability. More strength, more space, and still precise enough for inspection work.

Winner: YuMi’s unbeatable in the sub-kilo class. But if your parts weigh more than a sandwich, RO1’s the only one here that can show up without breaking down.

Flexibility & ease of integration

Both YuMi models expect a controlled environment, fixed table setup, and a programming team on standby. RO1’s the opposite: drop it in, plug it in, and it’s already halfway to being useful.

How do they handle real-world changes?

• YuMi (single-arm): Meant for static workcells, it’s great for light (very light) assembly, but not great when the product changes.
  
  
• YuMi (dual-arm): Slightly more flexible, but the symmetry only works when the process doesn’t shift. Layout changes = pain.
  
  
• RO1: Mount it on a cart, a bench, or wherever there’s space. Works across different SKUs, jobs, and cells, all without redoing your entire layout.

Winner: RO1 actually expects a mess and rolls with it. YuMi’s fine when nothing moves. 

Programming & setup time

Between ABB Rapid and the teach pendant interface, setup usually requires someone who speaks robot. And if you’ve got the dual-arm model? Get ready to sync two sides like it’s a dance rehearsal.

How long does it actually take to get these running?

• YuMi (single-arm): ABB’s environment isn’t beginner-friendly, so expect a day or more, plus support.
  
  
• YuMi (dual-arm): Calibration, syncing, vision setup; now multiply everything.
  
  
• RO1: Touchscreen interface, drag-and-drop setup, and an optional Python API if you want more control. It’s made for operators, not code bros.

Winner: RO1 takes hours, and doesn’t make a mess of it. YuMi takes days. 

Use case comparison: Light assembly, packaging & beyond

YuMi wins every robotics competition, but only if nothing unexpected happens. RO1 handles real work, real mess, and still makes your ROI spreadsheet look fire.

Which cobot actually shows up when the pressure’s on?

User reviews

We’ve compiled real user reviews from Qviro, a place for honest feedback from industrial engineers. 

What do real users say about ABB YuMi?

• YuMi has a robotstudio online application that can be easily programmed using GUI. — Wendy Cahya Kurniawan, National Taipei University of Technology
  
  
• Safe design, fewer errors in programming, and camera options are very good. — Mohammed Mansoor, Alfanar Electrical Division
  
  
• Great, safe, and easy-to-use robot … for professionals. If the target audience is end-users, or people without a degree in Engineering, I don’t know how easy it would be for them. — Verified user, lab testing
  
  
• The payload is extremely low. You can definitely perform assembly tasks, but it is not appropriate for bimanual manipulation tasks.  — Verified user, research lab
  
  
• Nice and safe design … but the camera software should be as easy to use as the cobot itself. — Loïs Gleizes, Radiall

Bottom line? YuMi gets love for design, safety, and coordination. But the cons are consistent. Low payload, dated interfaces, and a steeper learning curve than today’s operators want.

What RO1 users say

On the shop floor, RO1’s reputation is straightforward; it works. In one CNC shop, Leo (a first-timer) had it running before other teams even finished calibrating their cobots. 

What do real users say about RO1? 

• I’d never touched a robot before. I had RO1 running faster than engineers using other cobots. — Leo, CNC Operator (YouTube testimonial)
  
  
• Other brands say they’re easy to use; they’re not. This one actually was. RO1 was a no-brainer. — Henry, Shop Owner (YouTube testimonial)
  
  
• We went from 1,500 to 6,000 parts per day. RO1 helped us build a second shift without hiring. — Alan Radcliffe, Ultrafab Product Manager (Ultrafab case study)

Pros:

• Actually easy to set up; confirmed by first-time users
  
• No external integrators needed
  
• Works across multiple applications, e.g., CNC, packaging, palletizing, inspection
  
• High uptime, e.g., used for lights-out automation at Ultrafab
  
• AI and vision built in, no hidden upgrades
  
• Operators can learn it without coding experience

Cons:

• Pretty overpowered for micro-assembly work
  
• It ain’t designed for ultra-clean room or benchtop-only environments
  
• Still needs some basic safety prep, despite built-in 3D vision

Which collaborative robot is better for you?

If you’re already swimming in ABB’s ecosystem, your factory already runs on ABB controllers, custom enclosures, and code that only your senior engineer understands. YuMi might be the smoothest fit for you. 

But if you want something your team can set up without a three-day onboarding video, RO1’s the obvious choice.

Go YuMi if:

• You’re working with sub-kg parts in clean room or lab conditions
  
• You’ve already standardized on RAPID and ABB’s setup tools
  
• Your cobot’s never leaving its table
  

Go RO1 if:

• You want one cobot that handles palletizing, CNC tending, and inspection
  
• You want it running this week, not next month
  
• You want precision without having to micromanage anything
  

Next steps with Standard Bots

Want to upgrade your automation game? Standard Bots’ RO1 is the perfect six-axis cobot addition to any shop floor, big or small.

• Affordable and adaptable: Available at half the cost of comparable robots, with a list price of $37K.
  
  
• Precision and power: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles even the most demanding jobs, like welding, palletizing, and pick-and-place. You name it.
  
  
• AI-driven simplicity: Equipped with AI capabilities on par with GPT-4, RO1 integrates perfectly with production systems for even more advanced automation.
  
  
• Safety-first design: Machine vision and collision detection mean RO1 works safely alongside human operators.

Schedule your risk-free, 30-day on-site trial today and see how RO1 can bring AI-powered greatness to your shop floor.