How we picked the best of the best robot manufacturing companies
Picking the right robot supplier is a big deal. It can make or break your business, so we didn't take this lightly.
Here's how we sized up these companies:
- Range of robot types: We looked for suppliers who aren't one-trick ponies. They need a whole stable of robots ready to tackle different tasks.
- Wow-worthy tech: It's not just about today's tech, but tomorrow's too. The best suppliers are always pushing the envelope and reaching for the stars.
- Easy to use: Nobody wants a robot that needs you to be Stephen Hawking to operate. We checked how user-friendly these machines are, from setup to programming.
- Support that's got your back: Robots need regular tune-ups. Top-notch industrial robot manufacturers offer awesome support, training, and maintenance to keep your bots running smoothly.
- Industry know-how: Some suppliers and robotics distributors know certain industries inside and out. We looked for those who really get what your business needs.
- Price vs. value: We all love a good deal. But it's not just about the price tag; it's about the old “value for money.”
When it comes to robot suppliers, Standard Bots is a rising star in the robotics industry, focusing on delivering high-quality, affordable, and user-friendly solutions for nearly every task under the sun.
Their flagship product, RO1, is a versatile, flexible collaborative robot that can easily tackle jobs like pick-and-place, assembly, welding, and CNC machine tending.
- A jack of all trades: RO1 is a compact, lightweight robot with impressive reach and payload capacity (18 kg), making it adaptable to various industrial settings. It features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with state-of-the-art no-code software, even for those without extensive robotics experience.
- Innovation without a hefty price tag: Standard Bots aims to make automation accessible to businesses of all sizes. RO1 has advanced features like collision detection and integrated vision systems, yet priced at half of the competing models.
- AI-driven power: Aside from its best-in-class physical capabilities, RO1 shows off advanced, adaptable AI that’s on par with GPT-4. This means you can easily adapt RO1 to ever-changing operating conditions and workflows.
While Standard Bots may not have the extensive product range of some larger competitors, it is quickly becoming an industry leader with its focus on advanced, budget-friendly, reliable, and user-friendly automation solutions.
ABB is a well-established name in the world of robots, offering a wide selection of industrial robots designed for just about any job you can think of. Whether you need a robot for welding, assembly, painting, picking, packing, or something else entirely, ABB probably has something for you.
- One-stop shop: ABB has robots for everything — welding, assembly, painting, picking, packing, and more. They even have cutting-edge collaborative robots (cobots) that can work right alongside humans without any safety concerns.
- Industry experts: ABB has a deep understanding of various industries, including automotive, electronics, and logistics. They'll help you find the right robot that fits your specific needs and requirements.
- More than just robots: ABB doesn't just provide robots; they also offer excellent software and digital tools to make programming, simulating, and monitoring your robots easy and efficient.
- Worldwide support: With service centers and partners all over the globe, ABB ensures that you'll always have the support you need, no matter where your business is located
Mind you, while ABB puts a huge premium on robot quality, their bots also have the price tag to match.
FANUC is a Japanese robotics company with a reputation for building robots that are as tough as nails. They've been around for ages, and their signature yellow robots are a common sight in factories all over the world.
- Yellow robots everywhere: If you've seen a bright yellow factory robot, chances are it was a FANUC. Their machines are known for their speed, precision, and ability to keep on chugging, making them perfect for tough jobs like material handling, welding, and assembly.
- Tech die-hards: FANUC isn't afraid to get geeky. They're constantly pushing the boundaries of what robots can do, using advanced tech like artificial intelligence and machine learning to make their robots smarter and more efficient.
- Big and small: FANUC doesn’t just do big. Whether you need a nimble little bot for delicate jobs or a giant for heavy lifting, FANUC has something in its arsenal.
FANUC is high on the list of robot manufacturing companies, but be mindful that they also charge a premium for one of their bots. They don’t come cheap.
KUKA is a German robotics company known for its high-quality robots and innovative automation solutions. They have a wide array of robots for various applications, from welding and assembly to palletizing and material handling.
- Innovation at the forefront: KUKA is always pushing the envelope when it comes to robotics. They're constantly introducing new technologies and features to make their robots more flexible, precise, and easy to use.
- Deep in the collaborative game: KUKA is a leader in the cobot market, with advanced robots that can work side by side with humans while remaining (mostly) safe to be around.
- Smart software: KUKA's robots are backed by powerful software tools that make programming, simulating, and optimizing your automation processes much easier than it used to be. They even offer cloud-based solutions for remote monitoring and maintenance.
Again, with KUKA, you’ll have to budget a significant amount of money, as their top-of-the-line robots cost a pretty penny.
Yaskawa Electric, with its Motoman line of robots, is a big name among industrial robot manufacturers, and for good reason. Their robots are known for their top-notch performance, precision, and flexibility.
- Robots for everything: Motoman has a robot for just about any job you can think of, from welding and assembly to painting and packaging. They even have specialized robots for cleanroom environments and other unique applications.
- Total speedsters: Motoman robots are designed to move fast and with incredible accuracy, which is great news if you're looking to kick up productivity numbers in your manufacturing processes.
- Strong and smart: Motoman robots are equipped with sophisticated control systems that make them easy to integrate with other automation equipment, allowing for better coordination and synchronization of your production lines.
As with others on the list (you know what we’re going to say, aren’t you?), Yaskawa robots don’t really sell for pocket change. Be prepared to budget a significant amount.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a diversified Japanese company with a significant presence in the robotics industry. Their robots have reliability, durability, and performance in demanding industrial environments.
- Industrial Titans: Kawasaki offers robots designed to handle heavy payloads and perform demanding tasks in challenging environments. Their robots are often seen in material handling, welding, painting, and other applications where strength and precision are de rigueur.
- Advanced safety features: Kawasaki places a strong emphasis on safety, equipping their robots with advanced collision detection, safety zones, and other features to ensure safe operation alongside human workers.
- Industry-specific thinking: Kawasaki offers custom-made solutions for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, food processing, and electronics. They have a deep understanding of these industries' unique automation needs.
Since they work with such high-name industries, most Kawasaki robots aren’t really affordable if you have a small outfit or are just starting out with automation. They’re expensive.
DENSO Robotics is a highly known industrial robot manufacturer of small robots designed for speed, accuracy, and reliability. They offer a diverse range of robots that cater to various industries and applications, including assembly, dispensing, material handling, and packaging.
- Small but powerful: DENSO robots are compact and lightweight, which makes them perfect for tight spaces and flexible production lines. But don't let their size fool you, they're lightning-fast and incredibly precise.
- One for everything: DENSO offers a variety of robot models with different reach, payload capacity, and specialized functions. Whether you need a robot for small assembly or complex handling operations, they’ve probably got something.
- Easy to program: DENSO robots are known for their user-friendly programming interfaces and intuitive software, making it (comparatively) easy to get them up and running.
Denso robots are typically not as expensive as most on this list, beaten out in a value-to-price ratio only by Standard Bots.
Epson Robots is a global behemoth in SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) robots. They have a pretty deep selection of robots for various industries, including electronics, automotive, medical devices, and consumer goods.
- SCARA masters: Epson knows SCARA robots inside and out. They're the pioneers of this technology, offering robots with exceptional speed and accuracy for assembly, dispensing, pick-and-place, and other jobs that demand high precision levels.
- Small and nimble: Epson robots can fit into tight spaces and high-density production lines without hurting performance. They're also flexible, so you can easily integrate them into your existing operations.
- Eyes on the prize: Epson robots can be equipped with advanced vision systems for tasks like inspection, part identification, and quality control. This helps you automate even more of your processes and ensures top-notch product quality.
Epson robots also go for a fair price, but they’re worth it if you need a SCARA arm. In that industry, they’re the best there is.
Carbon Robotics is a startup shaking things up in the agricultural robotics scene. They're on a mission to help farmers tackle some of their biggest challenges by leveraging automation.
- Weed-killing robots: Carbon Robotics' flagship product is an autonomous weed-killing robot that uses lasers to zap unwanted plants. It's a huge help for farmers who are tired of relying on herbicides and manual labor to keep their fields weed-free.
- Sustainability focus: Carbon Robotics puts a premium on sustainability. Their robots help reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture and promote more environmentally friendly farming practices.
- State-of-the-art tech: This startup is packed with brilliant minds who are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in agricultural robotics. They're developing new technologies to take on other challenges farmers face, like crop harvesting and pest control.
If you’re in the farming game, you can’t go wrong with Carbon industries. While pricing information is not forthcoming, we assume their high-tech bots are not inexpensive.
Now for something completely different, Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that's gaining notoriety due to its cutting-edge autonomous systems. They're not your typical robot supplier or robotics distributor; they're developing advanced robots for military and security applications.
- Autonomous drones and vehicles: Anduril is known for its autonomous drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and other defense-related tasks.
- AI-powered intelligence: Anduril's robots are powered by advanced artificial intelligence, allowing them to operate autonomously and make decisions in real time.
- Focused on national security: Anduril is dedicated to developing innovative technologies to enhance national security and protect critical infrastructure.
Pricing information on Anduril Industries robots is not readily available, and they are not for sale to the general public.
