FANUC vs. ABB is one of the most common comparisons in industrial robotics, especially in 2025, as both dominate global automation. FANUC, from Japan, is known for ultra-reliable, high-speed robots and a massive service network. ABB, based in Switzerland, stands out for precision engineering, advanced RobotStudio simulation, and flexible integration. 

Together, they power industries from automotive to electronics. This guide compares their performance, programming, integration, and pricing so you can choose the right fit for your facility.

Who are FANUC and ABB robots?

FANUC robots are industrial automation systems built by FANUC, a Japanese company founded in 1956 as part of Fujitsu. The brand has more than 1 million robots installed worldwide, ranging from compact arms to collaborative robots and heavy-payload industrial models. 

They serve industries such as automotive, electronics, and general manufacturing. FANUC’s strength comes from its exceptional reliability, high-speed performance, and a global service network with over 270 locations.

ABB robots are industrial, collaborative, and mobile automation systems produced by ABB, a Swiss-Swedish company formed in 1988 through the merger of ASEA and BBC Brown Boveri. 

Operating in more than 100 countries, ABB delivers precision engineering, advanced RobotStudio simulation, and strong integration capabilities. Its portfolio covers applications from food and beverage processing to electronics assembly and heavy manufacturing.

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FANUC robots: Overview

Company history and market position

Founded in 1956 in Japan as part of Fujitsu, FANUC has become one of the most recognized names in industrial automation. With more than 900,000 robots installed globally, it holds a significant market share across the automotive, electronics, and manufacturing sectors. Its reputation is built on decades of engineering reliability and a global service network covering over 260 locations.

Known strengths:

• Long operational lifespan with minimal downtime.
• Proven performance in high-speed, high-volume production.
• Strong track record in demanding manufacturing environments.

Programming: FANUC uses a teach pendant interface familiar to many operators, with optional iRVision for built-in vision and Zero Down Time (ZDT) for predictive maintenance.

Common industries: Automotive welding and assembly, packaging, material handling, and CNC machine tending.

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ABB robots: Overview

Company history and market position

Founded in 1988 through the merger of ASEA (Sweden) and BBC Brown Boveri (Switzerland), ABB has become one of the most respected names in industrial automation. With a presence in over 100 countries, ABB Robotics offers a broad portfolio ranging from small collaborative arms to heavy-duty industrial robots. 

The company is known for its precision engineering, advanced simulation software, and strong foothold in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Known strengths:

• Flexible integration into custom automation cells.
• Wide product range from cobots to heavy-payload robots.
• High precision and repeatability for complex, multi-axis tasks.

Programming: ABB offers the RAPID programming language and RobotStudio for offline simulation and testing, plus AI-based vision tools for process optimization.

Common industries: Food and beverage processing, electronics assembly, and heavy equipment manufacturing.

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FANUC vs. ABB comparison

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1. Ease of programming

FANUC

FANUC uses a familiar teach pendant interface, making it quick to deploy for standard tasks like palletizing, CNC loading, and assembly. iRVision enables integrated vision without extra controllers, streamlining pick-and-place or inspection setups. Complex motion planning may require third-party software.

ABB

ABB uses its RAPID programming language and RobotStudio for offline simulation, letting you program and test without stopping production. This is a major advantage for plants running continuous shifts or building custom automation cells.

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2. Precision and speed

FANUC

Optimized for speed, FANUC robots achieve sub-second cycle times in packaging, electronics assembly, and material handling. They suit repetitive, high-throughput tasks where small variances don’t affect quality.

ABB

ABB focuses on precision, with models like the IRB 6700 delivering ±0.05 mm repeatability. Ideal for aerospace assembly, electronics manufacturing, and fine machining where exact positioning is critical.

While ABB robots can also operate quickly, their key selling point is balancing speed with pinpoint accuracy for complex assemblies and high-value parts.

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3. Integration and flexibility

FANUC

FANUC connects easily with CNC machines, PLCs, and third-party automation, making it a low-disruption fit for facilities with mixed equipment. Popular in machine tending and material handling, it’s especially strong in automotive plants where robots are tied directly into CNC lines for welding, drilling, and finishing in a single workflow.

ABB

ABB excels in multi-robot cells and simulation-heavy projects, with RobotStudio and extensive I/O options for synchronizing robots and auxiliary equipment in complex workflows. In electronics manufacturing, ABB systems often integrate conveyor tracking and vision inspection in the same cell to handle assembly, testing, and packaging in one process.

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4. Maintenance and support

FANUC

FANUC has over 260 service centers worldwide and is known for decades-long lifespans. ZDT predictive maintenance tracks robot health to prevent unplanned downtime, and real-time alerts can be routed to operators’ mobile devices to schedule repairs without halting production.

ABB

ABB offers strong support in Europe, North America, and Asia, with predictive maintenance integrated into its automation suite. In high-priority facilities, ABB field engineers can be dispatched on-site within hours, backed by remote diagnostics to troubleshoot before parts arrive.

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5. Software ecosystem

FANUC

iRVision handles built-in vision tasks like part detection and inspection. ZDT connects to the cloud for predictive maintenance and AI-driven optimization, while cycle time analytics help fine-tune pick-and-place or welding operations for higher throughput.

ABB

RobotStudio enables complex workflow simulation before deployment, while SafeMove adds configurable safety zones for human-robot collaboration. ABB’s process-specific add-ons, such as ArcWelding PowerPac or PickMaster, give industry teams pre-built templates to speed up programming for specialized tasks.

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Best FANUC robots in 2025

FANUC LR Mate 200iD

FANUC LR Mate 200iD is a compact 6-axis industrial robot designed for small part handling, assembly, and packaging in limited workspaces. It delivers repeatability of ±0.01 mm and supports multiple mounting positions for flexible cell layouts. Lightweight yet powerful, it’s widely used in electronics assembly and consumer goods manufacturing. 

Its energy-efficient design and sealed structure make it suitable for clean rooms and harsh environments alike. 

FANUC CRX-30iA

FANUC CRX-30iA is a collaborative robot that offers a high 30 kg payload and 1,756 mm reach, making it ideal for heavy pick-and-place, palletizing, and CNC machine tending. It features drag-and-drop programming via tablet, allowing quick setup without specialist coding skills. 

Designed for safety and ease of use, it operates alongside human workers without fencing while maintaining industrial-grade precision. 

FANUC M-20iB

FANUC M-20iB versatile mid-range 6-axis robot with a 25 kg payload and long reach for material handling, welding, and assembly. Its hollow wrist design enables internal cable routing, reducing snagging and wear during high-speed cycles. 

Popular in automotive and manufacturing plants, it offers consistent uptime, quick integration with CNC systems, and strong protection against dust and moisture for harsh shop floor environments.

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Best ABB robots in 2025

ABB GoFa CRB 15000

ABB GoFa CRB 15000 is a next-generation collaborative robot with a 5 kg payload and 950 mm reach, designed for safe operation around people. It offers intuitive setup through hand-guiding and simple programming, making it ideal for electronics assembly, kitting, and light packaging. 

Built-in torque and position sensors ensure precise movement while preventing collisions, allowing it to work without safety cages in most settings.

ABB IRB 6700

ABB IRB 6700 is a heavy-duty industrial robot capable of handling payloads up to 300 kg with repeatability of ±0.05 mm. Commonly deployed in welding, press tending, and heavy material handling, it’s built for endurance with a 400,000-hour mean time between failures (MTBF). 

ABB IRB 1300

Compact yet powerful, the IRB 1300 offers payloads up to 11 kg and reaches up to 1.4 m. It excels in high-speed pick-and-place, polishing, and assembly tasks, especially where cycle times are critical. 

Its high torque in a small footprint makes it ideal for dense production cells, while its IP67-rated arm protects against dust and liquids in industrial environments.

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Use cases and industry fit

High-volume automotive manufacturing

Both FANUC and ABB have strong roots in the automotive sector. FANUC robots are widely used for spot welding, sealing, and high-speed part handling in vehicle assembly lines, where uptime and repeatability directly affect output. 

ABB excels in precision-heavy tasks like multi-axis seam welding and robotic painting, often within fully simulated production cells. Their systems integrate smoothly into existing automotive workflows, reducing changeover times and increasing throughput.

Electronics assembly and packaging

FANUC’s compact models, like the LR Mate series, are ideal for high-speed PCB assembly, soldering, and packaging in electronics manufacturing. ABB collaborative models, such as the GoFa CRB 15000, handle delicate component assembly with built-in force control, making them suitable for sensitive operations like optical device assembly. 

Both brands support cleanroom-rated options for semiconductor or medical electronics production.

Welding and painting lines

In welding automation, FANUC offers high-speed arc welding arms compatible with advanced wire feeding systems, while ABB delivers precision arc and laser welding with RobotStudio path optimization. 

ABB’s painting robots, integrated with SafeMove for safety control, excel in even paint application across complex surfaces, while FANUC systems lead in rapid cycle paint spraying.

Heavy material handling

For large payload tasks, FANUC’s M-900 series and ABB’s IRB 6700 are frequently used in foundries, metal fabrication, and logistics. FANUC provides speed advantages in palletizing and load transfer, while ABB brings precision handling to heavy components in the aerospace and energy industries. 

Both brands support specialized grippers and end-of-arm tooling for bulk and irregular loads.

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Final thoughts: Which brand should you choose?

FANUC is the stronger choice for high-speed, high-volume production where uptime, global support, and ease of integration are critical. ABB is the better fit for complex, precision-heavy workflows that benefit from advanced simulation, flexible integration, and pinpoint accuracy. 

Your decision should come down to whether your operation values maximum throughput or uncompromising precision, and which brand’s strengths align more closely with your production goals.

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Next steps with Standard Bots’ robotic solutions

Looking to upgrade your automation game? Standard Bots’ RO1 is the perfect six-axis cobot addition for any CNC setup, delivering unbeatable precision and flexibility.

• Affordable and adaptable: RO1 costs $37K (list price). Get high-precision automation at half the cost of traditional robots.
• Precision and power: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles even the most demanding CNC jobs.
• AI-driven simplicity: Equipped with AI capabilities on par with GPT-4, RO1 integrates smoothly with CNC systems for advanced automation.
• Safety-first design: Machine vision and collision detection mean RO1 works safely alongside human operators.

Schedule your on-site demo with our engineers today and see how RO1 can bring AI-powered greatness to your shop floor.

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FAQs

1. Which is easier to program, FANUC or ABB?

FANUC is easier to program if you’re familiar with its teach pendant (TP) interface, making it quick for standard tasks. ABB is more flexible with its RAPID language and RobotStudio simulation, which helps create and test complex workflows before deployment.

2. Which brand offers better precision?

ABB offers better precision in multi-axis and tight-tolerance applications, with models like the IRB 6700 reaching ±0.05 mm repeatability. FANUC is also accurate but is generally chosen for its speed in high-volume production.

3. Can FANUC and ABB robots work in the same facility?

FANUC and ABB robots can work in the same facility if controllers, PLCs, and safety systems are properly integrated. 

Many large plants run both brands side by side, using FANUC for high-speed tasks like packaging and ABB for precision work such as painting or fine assembly. Integration teams often use standardized I/O protocols and safety zones to ensure smooth interoperability.

4. How does ABB’s RobotStudio compare to FANUC’s iRVision?

ABB’s RobotStudio compares to FANUC’s iRVision as a broader offline programming and simulation platform, while iRVision focuses on part detection, alignment, and inspection. RobotStudio allows you to design, test, and optimize workflows without stopping production, making it ideal for complex automation cells.

5. Which has better global support coverage?

FANUC has better global support coverage than ABB, with over 260 service centers worldwide to ensure faster parts delivery and technician response in most regions. ABB offers strong coverage in Europe and the Americas but has fewer service locations in other areas, which can extend lead times.

6. What industries prefer FANUC over ABB?

Industries that prefer FANUC over ABB include automotive manufacturing, CNC machine tending, high-speed packaging, and electronics assembly. These sectors value FANUC’s uptime, ease of maintenance, and straightforward deployment, while ABB is often chosen for aerospace, custom automation, and precision-focused applications.