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FANUC vs. Yaskawa: Head-to-head comparison for 2026

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00 min

Date

October 3, 2024
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Choosing between FANUC vs. Yaskawa can be tough. FANUC is known for its precision in large-scale operations, while Yaskawa excels in speed and flexibility. But, for small and medium-sized businesses, Standard Bots offers a more affordable and easy-to-use solution.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

  • How FANUC’s precision compares to Yaskawa’s speed
  • Strengths and weaknesses of each brand
  • Why Standard Bots might be the better fit for SMEs

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Let’s start with the basics first. 

FANUC vs. Yaskawa vs. Standard Bots: Key differences

When it comes to large-scale industrial automation, FANUC and Yaskawa both have made a name for themselves. Then there’s Standard Bots, which is an up-and-coming new option to consider. 

Here's a closer look at each:

Feature

FANUC

Yaskawa

Standard Bots

Pricing

High-end, premium-level systems

Competitive but still pricey

Affordable and accessible

Ease of
Use

Complex requires expert knowledge

Flexible but can be technical

Easy to use, no-code setup

Precision &
Speed

Best for precision work, slower

Great for fast, adaptive tasks

Balanced, reliable performance

Flexibility

Customizable for advanced tasks

Known for adaptability

User-friendly, simple to scale

Support &
Training

Advanced training required

Requires trained professionals

Comprehensive support & training

FANUC: Good for massive companies

FANUC is a global behemoth and a leader in CNC controls and industrial automation, with a history dating back to the early 1950s. 

They’re well-established due to their high-precision robotic systems, which are often common in industries like automotive manufacturing and electronics.

Pros:

  • Ol’ reliable: Known for durability and long-term performance.
  • Huge product line: Offers solutions across many industries.

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Cons:

  • Sticker shock: FANUC’s systems can be pretty expensive, making them harder to sell for small and mid-sized businesses.
  • Technical complexity: You’ll need a team of experts to manage these systems effectively. And those come at a premium. 

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The bottom line: If you’re running a large-scale operation with complex needs, FANUC may be a good choice. However, for smaller businesses, the high costs and technical demands might be too much to handle. 

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Yaskawa: Good for adaptability

Yaskawa has been a major player in the industrial automation space for over 100 years. 

Their robots are extremely versatile and adaptable, especially in industries that need fast, high-speed operations like electronics and packaging.

Pros:

  • Yoga-teacher flexible: Yaskawa robots adapt well across industries with efficient solutions.
  • High-speed automation: They’re great in environments where speed is essential. 

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Cons:

  • Not cheap: Like FANUC, Yaskawa’s advanced systems come with a walloping price tag.
  • Need tech know-how: Complex setups need trained professionals.

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The bottom line: Yaskawa is a decent choice if you’re looking for adaptable, high-speed solutions. However, smaller companies or those with limited technical teams may find that the price of implementation is too high.

Standard Bots: Best budget-friendly option

Standard Bots takes a different approach by focusing on affordability and accessibility.

Their robotics solution, RO1, is meant to be accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to automate without the complexity or high costs of brands like FANUC or Yaskawa.

Pros:

  • Easy on the wallet: RO1 is priced much lower than competitors, making automation accessible even for smaller budgets.
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  • User-friendly: Setup is quick and easy, with no-code and pro-code programming options that make it approachable for non-experts.
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  • Going the extra mile: Standard Bots offers extensive support and training to ensure smooth integration.

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Cons:

  • Less suited for mass-scale ops: While versatile, RO1 may not offer all the advanced features. Limited advanced features include large-scale automation.

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The bottom line: Standard Bots is an ideal fit for businesses seeking an easy-to-implement solution without the high costs. If your focus is on flexibility, affordability, and ease of use, Standard Bots is where it’s at. 

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Yaskawa vs. FANUC vs. Standard Bots: Which is better for you?

Let’s break it down by the most important factors:

  • How much can you spend? If you’re looking for the most affordable option, Standard Bots is the clear winner. Both FANUC and Yaskawa tend to be way, way pricier. 
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  • How easy are they to use? With Standard Bots, you can get your system up and running without a team of engineers. FANUC and Yaskawa require much more technical expertise to get going.
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  • Are they flexible? Yaskawa is pretty adaptable, but Standard Bots has all the flexibility most businesses need at a fraction of the cost.
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  • How’s their support? Standard Bots offers accessible and ongoing support and training, making it easy for businesses without a dedicated technical team to hit the ground running. 

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Summing up

When it comes to choosing between FANUC vs. Yaskawa vs. Standard Bots, the right answer depends on your business’s size and needs.

Let’s recap: 

  • FANUC is good for huge enterprises that need precision and reliability in complex, high-demand environments.
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  • Yaskawa gives you great flexibility and speed — great for industries that need adaptable automation solutions.
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  • Standard Bots provides an affordable, easy-to-implement option for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs that want to get started with automation without a steep learning curve or skyrocketing costs. 

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Next steps

Are you looking for an affordable robot solution that’s easy to integrate? RO1 by Standard Bots is the perfect six-axis cobot arm for businesses looking to automate quickly and efficiently.

  • Budget-conscious: RO1 won’t strain your finances, offering high-end performance at half the price of similar robots.
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  • Fast & strong: With an 18 kg payload capacity and high operational speed, RO1 increases efficiency in your processes.
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  • Easy to use: RO1 is powered by AI comparable to GPT-4 and features a no-code interface that makes programming a breeze.
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  • Safety-minded: Built with advanced sensors and machine vision, RO1 works safely alongside your team and its built-in collision detection.

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Ready to see what RO1 can do for your business? Get in touch with Standard Bots today and try it risk-free for 30 days, and we’ll help you get set up.

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