8 best FANUC competitors in the robotics game

1. Standard Bots

Standard Bots is quickly making a name for itself as a top industrial robotics company. Its RO1 cobot is a six-axis cobot arm that’s all about affordability, flexibility, and ease of use. 

While FANUC America is pretty big, Standard Bots is shaking things up by offering high-performance robots without the sky-high price tag.

Where Standard Bots beats FANUC:

• Much more cost-effective: RO1 costs half of what you’d pay for many of FANUC’s models (at least in the 18 kg payload range) while still delivering great performance, repeatability, and efficiency.
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• Easy to use: RO1's intuitive, no-code interface simplifies programming, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. To top it off, it has extra-smart AI that rivals GPT-4, so it will keep learning on the job. 
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• Huge variety of use cases: Whether you’re in manufacturing, packaging, or even pharmaceuticals, RO1 adapts to multiple industries easily. It also handles tasks like CNC machine tending, pick-and-place, palletizing, painting, welding — you name it. 
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• Safe: With collision detection and high-end features like machine vision, RO1 is a collaborative force to be reckoned with. Your employees will thank you for it. 

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2. ABB

ABB has been in the game for a long time, and they’re known for their robots' speed and precision. Their IRB series, in particular, is popular in industries like automotive and electronics.

How ABB compares to FANUC:

• More flexible: ABB offers a wider range of robots, from small-scale to heavy-duty, while FANUC focuses more heavily on larger models.
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• Better software: ABB’s RobotStudio is a standout, allowing you to simulate and program your robot before even touching the production floor, which FANUC doesn’t offer as comprehensively.

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3. KUKA

KUKA Robotics is all about flexibility and accuracy. Their bots are a common sight in both large-scale manufacturing and smaller, more delicate tasks. Plus, they’ve also put their focus on collaborative robots (cobots) lately. 

Comparing KUKA vs. FANUC, where KUKA wins:

• Cobot tech: KUKA’s iiwa cobot series offers advanced safety and integration features, which are particularly suited for human-robot collaboration and are a growing focus area for FANUC as well. 
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• Customization: KUKA robots are highly customizable, so you can tweak them to do exactly what you need.

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4. Yaskawa Motoman

Yaskawa Motoman puts its focus on industrial robots and has a strong reputation in sectors like auto, electronics, and healthcare. They offer everything from basic pick-and-place robots to more complex multi-axis models for high-precision work.

How Yaskawa compares to FANUC:

• Flexibility: Yaskawa’s product line is slightly more specialized for niche tasks like welding, where they often outshine FANUC in performance.
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• Cost: Yaskawa tends to offer more affordable options in their lower-tier robots, making them a good fit for businesses on a budget.

5. Universal Robots 

Universal Robots are a decent option for collaborative robots (cobots). Their robots tend to have a comparatively smaller footprint, making them perfect for small-scale automation projects or environments where space is tight.When to choose Universal Robots over FANUC:

• Good cobots: Universal Robots pioneered the commercialization of collaborative robots (cobots), making them a leading name in this space. If your main goal is to improve worker safety and reduce the complexity of human-robot collaboration, Universal Robots is only second to Standard Bots. 
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• Relatively easy to integrate: Universal Robots’ cobots are known for focusing on integration, which makes them easier to integrate than some of FANUC’s more complex models.

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6. Epson Robotics

Epson Robotics is another mainstay when it comes to small-scale, high-precision tasks, especially in industries like electronics manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. They have fast, compact robots as well. How Epson competes with FANUC’s smaller models:

• Pretty precise: Epson’s SCARA robots are particularly known for their precision in handling small, delicate components — areas where FANUC’s larger robots don’t always have an edge.
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• Space efficiency: If you’re tight on space, Epson’s smaller footprint robots make them a better fit than some of FANUC’s larger, more complex systems.

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7. Stäubli Robotics

Stäubli has a reputation due to its high-speed and precision automation in sectors like textiles, plastics, and food processing. Where Stäubli stands out compared to FANUC:

• Generally faster: Stäubli’s robots are some of the fastest on the market, which can be a huge advantage in industries where high throughput is essential.
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• Cleanroom-ready: Stäubli’s robots are designed for sterile environments like pharmaceutical manufacturing, where FANUC’s standard models may not always meet the strict cleanliness requirements.

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8. Mitsubishi Electric 

Mitsubishi Electric also has a wide range of robotics solutions, often integrated into broader automation systems. They’re best known for their robots’ durability and solid integration with PLC systems.Main advantages over FANUC:

• Easier to integrate: Mitsubishi’s robots sync perfectly with their other automation systems, making them a good choice if you’re already using their PLCs or other industrial equipment.
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• Longevity: Mitsubishi robots have A-grade durability and long operational life, which can reduce the total cost of ownership over time, even compared to FANUC.

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How to choose between FANUC and other industrial robotics companiesWhen it comes to choosing between FANUC and its competitors, it's all about figuring out what your business actually needs. Think long and hard about your specific needs and use cases:

• Type of job: Are you dealing with heavy-duty tasks like automotive assembly, or do you need precise, small-scale automation? This will heavily influence whether FANUC or another brand is your best bet.
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• Playing ball with your tech ecosystem: If you’re already using a certain manufacturer’s automation systems, it might make sense to stick with them for easier integration. Keep in mind that RO1 by Standard Bots integrates really well with a huge range of systems. 

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Total cost of ownership and ROI:

• Sticker shock: FANUC can be on the pricier side, but you’re paying for durability and support. If upfront cost is making you think twice, Standard Bots should be your go-to.
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• Long-term maintenance: FANUC’s global support network is a big plus, but other manufacturers, like Standard Bots, Mitsubishi, or ABB, are also known for long-lasting, reliable robots with lower maintenance costs.

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Summing up

‍Choosing from the best robotics companies among FANUC’s competitors will significantly impact the success of your automation efforts. With many options available, finding the right fit depends on your specific needs, budget, and integration capabilities.

While FANUC certainly deserves a place on the podium due to its comprehensive product line and global support, Standard Bots emerges as the #1 choice when looking for an alternative.

The reasons? Cost, ease of use, integration capabilities, flexibility, and powerful AI. 

Next stepsSo, you've seen how the FANUC competitors stack up against each other, but it's Standard Bots' RO1 that's really stealing the show. It's affordable, user-friendly, and packed with AI smarts — making automation accessible to businesses of all sizes, from scrappy startups to industry giants.

• Budget-friendly brilliance: RO1 delivers top-notch performance at half the cost of its competitors. 
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• No coding required: Forget those complicated programming languages. RO1's intuitive, no-code interface makes setup and programming much simpler. 
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• Smarts and power: With a 1.3m reach, an 18 kg payload capacity, and lightning-fast speed, RO1 is ready to tackle a wide range of tasks. 
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• Safe collaboration: RO1 is equipped with a suite of safety features, including sensors, machine vision, and collision detection. 
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• AI-powered smarts: RO1's advanced AI capabilities let it see, learn, and adapt, making it the perfect automation partner for any business. 

Experience the power of RO1 for yourself with a risk-free 30-day trial. Contact our solutions team today and discover how RO1 can improve your operations.