The FANUC CRX-5iA is the lightweight legacy pick. It has a small payload, short reach, and is happiest inside a FANUC-only playground. CRX-5iA plays it safe. 

RO1 is the no-code rebel: touchscreen control, AI-driven learning, and zero tolerance for all that integrator hoopla. Your team will easily set it up in just one day. It’s ready to automate and adapt while blowing your mind. 

FANUC CRX-5iA vs. RO1: A quick look

RO1 is what happens when a cobot gets some brains. No-code control, fast deployment, and AI that genuinely makes the robot smarter, not just full of buzzwords.

FANUC CRX-5iA works best if your shop already runs FANUC cobots. It works well if you want something familiar, compact, and not too demanding, assuming you’re okay staying in the FANUC CRX cobot lane.

If you’re over the old-school setup game and want automation that adapts with you, RO1’s the better move. Standard Bots breaks down why staying locked into legacy brands might cost you.

Quick comparison: FANUC CRX-5iA vs. RO1

Specs don’t tell the whole story, but if you want a snapshot of how these two cobots stack up on paper, here’s the breakdown.

Just keep in mind: deployment, programming, and actual usability aren’t listed on a data sheet.

Brief background on RO1 and FANUC CRX-5iA

The FANUC CRX-5iA launched as the ultra-compact cobot in the FANUC CRX cobot lineup. Minimal footprint, 5 kg payload, and a focus on inspection, electronics, and fine-detail work. It’s part of FANUC’s push to bring collaborative options into light-duty use cases without ditching their classic pendant UI.

RO1, from Standard Bots, flips the playbook. Touchscreen over teach pendant, AI over hard coding, and zero legacy baggage. It’s not just aimed at heavy lifting, it adapts to part changes, line tweaks, and job shifts mid-week. This breakdown shows how RO1 stacks up.

RO1 vs. FANUC CRX-5iA: Feature-by-feature comparison

Payload

CRX-5iA handles 5 kg, which is fine if you’re moving circuit boards, small electronics, or anything that weighs less than your lunch.

RO1 moves 18 kg like it’s nothing. That opens up actual production jobs, e.g., loading, unloading, boxing, and material transfer. Not just featherweight show-and-tells.

Winner: RO1. It’s the difference between Mario and Bowser. If you want to pick up real workpieces, RO1’s carrying the squad.

Reach

CRX-5iA reaches 994 mm, which is compact, great for benchtop work, but not much else. You’ll be repositioning it like it’s playing Twister.

RO1 reaches 1,300 mm, giving it enough range to cover pallets, wider tables, and multistep setups without needing to move.

Winner: RO1, no doubt. 

Repeatability

CRX-5iA hits ±0.03 mm, which is tight. It’s solid for fine assembly and repetitive, lightweight jobs.

RO1 fires at ±0.025 mm, which is CNC-grade and still freakishly consistent even after hours of operation. We’re talking sub-millimeter sniper-level accuracy.

Winner: RO1 again. If precision’s the mission, it sticks the landing every cycle. Take a look at what that repeatability really means.

Weight

CRX-5iA weighs 25 kg, so it’s ultra-light. You could practically toss it over your shoulder, not that you should, because we care about your rotator cuff. 

RO1 weighs 32 kg, which gives it more stability during high-speed stuff. Its weight also provides better support for heavier loads, without becoming a pain to reposition.

Winner: Tie, but RO1’s got better mass-to-muscle ratio for real-world work.

IP rating

CRX-5iA has IP67, so it’s waterproof, dustproof, and nearly apocalypse-ready.

RO1 comes in at IP54, which is fine for 90% of shops, just don’t bathe it in coolant or toss it into a blast cabinet.

Winner: CRX-5iA. If your work environment is Fallout-tier harsh, it wins. Otherwise, RO1 holds its own just fine. See how RO1 stacks up in real factories.

Programming

CRX-5iA still leans on the classic teach pendant, with some drag-and-drop flavor. Not awful, but don’t expect your young interns to fall in love with it. 

RO1 is pure no-code. Touchscreen. Visual logic. AI that learns patterns and helps you build faster. Leo — CNC operator, zero robotics experience — got it up and running solo. That actually happened.

Winner: RO1. This isn’t just easier, it’s usable. Less Dark Souls, more Animal Crossing.

Price

CRX-5iA comes in at $43,207 according to Vention. Not outrageous, but still a big upfront commitment.

RO1 has a list price of $37K. No quote forms, no “we’ll get back to you,” no surprise charges when you open the box. Want clarity? Take a look at how RO1 handles pricing.

Winner: RO1. Less money, more robot. End of discussion.

Maintenance

CRX-5iA claims 8 years of maintenance-free operation, which is great, as long as nothing goes wrong. When it does? Certified techs, wait times, and probably a scheduling headache.

RO1 is modular, DIY-friendly, and specifically designed for humans. Parts swap fast, support replies fast, and no one makes you open a ticket just to ask if something's broken.

Winner: RO1. Because “zero maintenance” shouldn’t mean “zero access.”

Ideal users

CRX-5iA fits if you’re already running FANUC systems. CRX-5iA works well with light assembly, or if you want something that fits into your existing floor plan with minimal disruption.

RO1 is made for anyone who doesn’t want to play IT department every time they change a part. No-code setup, cross-industry support, real AI flexibility. It’s not picky about how you use it, just that you use it.

Winner: Depends on your shop. But if you’re starting from scratch, growing fast, or want more control, RO1 can adapt with you.

FANUC CRX-5iA: What users think

We pulled real user feedback straight from Qviro’s CRX-5iA page, where people don’t sugarcoat their robot experience. Here’s how the smallest FANUC cobot stacks up when it’s out in the field.

Pros

• Super compact, super light: At 25 kg, users love how easy it is to install and move. Perfect for small cells or tabletop setups.
  
  
• IP67 matters for some people: One review mentioned zero issues running in a dust-heavy environment where other cobots tapped out.
  
  
• Solid repeatability for tiny jobs: It’s not made for lifting engines, but when accuracy matters, CRX-5iA gets the job done without drifting.

Cons

• Programming isn’t “Oh yeah, that was easy”: Even fans admit the teach pendant has a learning curve. One reviewer flat-out said it felt “dated.”
  
  
• CRX-5iA price vs. performance feels off: $43K+ for a 5 kg arm? Multiple reviews hint that you’re mostly paying for the FANUC CRX cobot label, not necessarily the power. It’s kinda like buying designer clothes, more brand than substance.
  
  
• Hard to scale with: Users looking to grow their automation lineup noted it doesn’t adapt well across job types or environments.

Punchline: The FANUC CRX-5iA works great if you already live in the FANUC world and want a light-duty cobot with industrial polish. 

RO1: What users think

These aren’t hypothetical use cases, these are quotes straight from the shop floor. We pulled feedback from Standard Bots’ CNC testimonial and the Ultrafab case study, where RO1 went head-to-head with old-school systems and didn’t blink.

Pros

• No integrators, no stress: Leo had never touched a robot in his life. Still had RO1 running faster than the engineers messing with other brands. No code. No manual. Just touchscreen and done.
  
  
• “A no-brainer” to deploy: That’s not us, that’s Henry, the owner. They mounted it, programmed it, and started production the same day. RO1 lives up to the plug-and-play hype.
  
  
• Scales like magic: Ultrafab used RO1 to create a “second shift.” Output jumped from 1,500 to 6,000 parts per day, all automated. Now they’re planning to roll out three more. Take a look at what AI looks like in real automation.

Cons

• Don’t throw it in a pressure washer: RO1’s IP54 is shop-ready, but not designed for wet zones. Keep it dry, keep it winning.
  
  
• It’s not for powerlifting: With an 18 kg limit, it’s strong, but not CRX-25iA-level. If your parts need a spotter, you’ll want a heavier-duty solution. 

Punchline: RO1 works where you work, whether it’s one cell or your whole floor. No code. No begging IT. Just a cobot that shows up and actually does the job. It’s already running in the real world, so this is not some showroom tech. 

Summing up

The FANUC CRX-5iA makes sense if you're already deep in the FANUC lane and need a small, IP67-rated cobot for lightweight work. It’s polished, compact, and fits right into legacy setups. But it sticks to the pink dumbbells. 

RO1 is a godsend for teams who want real-world adaptability, fast job changes, and no-code control without vendor baggage. It lifts more, reaches further, learns as it works, and doesn’t require a degree in industrial engineering to run.

Choose FANUC CRX-5iA if ...

• You’re already using FANUC hardware and need a simple, lightweight addition
• Your shop requires IP67 for wet or dust-heavy zones
• You’re only running small-part jobs that don’t change often

Choose RO1 if ...

• You want AI-powered automation that doesn’t need engineers to set up
• You’re lifting, loading, packaging, or tending with real weight
• You care about cost, flexibility, and not hitting a wall as you grow

Next steps with Standard Bots’ robotic solutions

Tired of cobots that need overlords, engineers, or six-week integration plans? RO1 is the six-axis cobot that shows up ready to work. No code, no gatekeeping, and no excuses.

• Affordable and adaptable: Costs about half as much as legacy cobots, with a list price of $37K.
  
  
• Precision and power: 18 kg payload and ±0.025 mm repeatability make it a real contender for everything from material handling to pick-and-place.
  
  
• AI-driven simplicity: RO1 learns, adapts, and optimizes as it goes. It’s redeployable and smart thanks to its AI, on par with the latest-and-greatest GPT glow-ups.
  
  
• Safety-first design: With built-in machine vision and collision detection, RO1 works right beside your team. 

Book your risk-free, 30-day on-site trial today and see how RO1 transforms automation into something actually useful.

FAQs

1. What’s the best cobot for teams without robotics experience?

RO1 is zero-code, zero-pain. Anyone on your team can program it from a touchscreen, and the built-in AI helps optimize performance over time. No integrators, no manuals, no wasted hours. Just press go.

2. Does the FANUC CRX-5iA require regular maintenance?

FANUC claims “8 years maintenance-free,” but real-world users say it depends. If something breaks or needs tuning, you’ll likely need a certified FANUC tech and a flexible schedule. It’s low maintenance, but not zero-hassle.

3. Can RO1 be used for machine tending?

Absolutely. RO1 handles machine tending, tool changes, and material transfer like it was born for it, and you don’t need an engineer to set it up. See how it’s used in real factories.

4. What is the weight and portability of the Standard Bots RO1?

RO1 weighs 32 kg, which makes it solid enough to lift 18 kg but light enough to reposition without needing a crane. It’s a rare case of power + portability that actually works on a shop floor.

5. What kind of applications are best for the FANUC CRX-5iA?

This FANUC cobot shines in small-part handling, benchtop inspection, and light assembly, especially when paired with other FANUC CRX cobots. If your payloads are under 5 kg, and you need IP67 protection, it checks the boxes.