The Motoman GP8 robot is compact, efficient, and ridiculously fast — a nice fit for industries that need precision and speed but don’t have space for a massive robot taking up real estate.
With its 8kg payload limit, it’s not built for heavy lifting, but for light-duty jobs, it’s a reliable workhorse.
Read on to learn more about:
- Overview and key features
- Performance and applications
- Advantages and limitations
- How does it compare against top alternatives?
What is the Motoman GP8 robot?
The Motoman GP8 is Yaskawa’s answer to businesses looking for a robot that’s small but packs a bit of oomph.
Designed for pick-and-place, assembly, and packaging, it combines a six-axis design with high speed and really good precision levels.
Here’s why it’s turning heads:
- Compact and adaptable: With the way it thrives in tight spaces, it’s a solid pick for businesses with limited workspace. In fact, it has an award-winning design.
- Purpose-driven can-do: It rocks at light, repetitive jobs that need speed and accuracy, which keeps operations efficient.
- Trusted performer: It’s made by Yaskawa, a company that’s built a reputation for reliable, high-quality robots that deliver results.
Key features of the Motoman GP8 robot
The GP8 brings a whole arsenal of features that can heavily optimize those lagging processes.
What makes it a good fit:
- 8kg payload capacity: Perfect for light industrial jobs, handling small components and delicate parts easily.
- Compact design: Fits into spaces that other robots can’t, making it a great option for crowded production lines.
- Great precision levels: With repeatability of ±0.01 mm, the GP8 makes accuracy its middle name.
- Flexible mounting options: Floor, wall, or ceiling — install it wherever your operations need a leg (or arm) up.
- Fast cycle times: Keeps your production line moving efficiently without sacrificing quality, with a maximum range of speeds from 385 degrees/second on the L-axis and up to 1000 degrees/second along the T-axis.
Performance & capabilities
The GP8 is not just a pretty face (or, you know, a robot arm). It delivers consistent performance that keeps production lines moving.
What makes it a top performer:
- Great for the handsy industrial stuff: Optimized for pick-and-place, assembly, and packaging jobs.
- Quietly dependable: Works efficiently without making your workspace sound like a rock concert. In other words, it’s not that loud.
- Handles the grind: Perfect for high-volume, high-reliability tasks that humans find mind-numbing — and dangerous to boot.
Applications
The GP8 doesn’t just sit around waiting for compliments. It’s built for action in a variety of industries, and it’s a perfect fit when you need some speed and reliability.
Where it thrives:
- Electronics assembly: Perfect for all-too-delicate jobs like placing microchips without turning them into microcrumbs.
- Auto manufacturing: Handles small parts accurately, like sensors and fittings, so your assembly line runs smoothly.
- Packaging and palletizing: Keeps boxes stacked and organized so you don’t have to throw out your back.
- Small-scale production lines: Its compact size makes it great for businesses that want precision without sacrificing space.
Advantages
The GP8 has some great advantages for businesses that want to optimize their operations.
The main draws:
- Small but strong: Packs serious capabilities into a space-efficient design.
- Energy-efficient: Saves on electricity while working nearly 24/7, keeping your bills low.
- Easy user experience: While setup might need a bit of help, you can get the hang of it in a relatively short time.
- Extra-durable: Yaskawa made it with the kind of durability that laughs in the face of long shifts.
- Not that expensive: Buying less than 4 robots will set you back a little over $15,000 each, which is a decent price for its weight class.
Limitations
Of course, even the star performer has its limits. The GP8 shines in the light-duty fare but doesn’t try to be something it’s not. (Because it can’t.)
Where it hits its boundaries:
- Lightweight lifter: With an 8kg payload, it’s not handling heavy machinery anytime soon. If you need anything that requires a bit more strength, it’s not your bot.
- Limited reach: Great for close-quarters work but not ideal for sprawling production lines.
- Setup isn’t plug-and-play: While the interface is easy, initial programming might need someone with more robotics know-how. You might have to look into the Yaskawa Academy for resources and courses (although you’ll have to pay a hefty premium).
How does the Motoman GP8 compare?
If you’re shopping for a robot, the GP8 is a strong contender — but how does it stack up against other options in its league?
How it measures up:
- RO1 by Standard Bots: If the GP8 is a Prius, RO1 is more of a Tesla. With an 18kg payload, no-code programming, and leasing starting from just $5/hour, RO1 delivers the muscle — and AI smarts — that GP8 just can’t match.
- FANUC LR Mate 200iD: Similar in size and precision but requires a manual the size of a phonebook to figure out. And the price of FANUC’s training might have you spending 2x the cost of the robot just to get it up and running.
- KUKA KR Agilus: Faster and pricier — your wallet will feel it, even though it’s got a higher maximum reach (1100mm) and a payload that goes up to 11kg. Of course, you could also pay less for a version that has roughly the same specs as the GP8. A KUKA KR for research (with some accouterments) will cost roughly $60,000.
Summing up
The Motoman GP8 is a great pick for businesses that need speed, precision, and reliability — especially without much space.
It’s perfect for industries like electronics, automotive, and packaging, where accuracy matters more than brute strength.
However, its 8kg payload and limited reach might leave you looking for something stronger for larger operations.
Next steps with RO1 by Standard Bots
If the GP8’s payload limit makes you think twice, the RO1 by Standard Bots might be the upgrade you’re looking for.
- Affordable and versatile: At half the purchase price of comparable robots, RO1 makes advanced automation accessible. Not ready to buy? Leasing starts at just $5/hour.
- Precision and strength: With repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18kg payload, RO1 takes on heavier jobs while maintaining exact accuracy for assembly, welding, and material handling.
- AI-driven and user-friendly: Featuring AI capabilities on par with GPT-4 and a no-code setup, RO1 simplifies programming — no technical expertise required.
- Safety-first design: Equipped with machine vision and collision detection, RO1 integrates seamlessly into your team, working alongside humans without barriers.
Schedule your risk-free, 30-day onsite trial today and experience how RO1 delivers precision, power, and best-in-class value for your automation strategy.
