IRB 6700 vs Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of IRB 6700 (ABB) and Explorer (OC Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- IRB 6700Switzerland
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
Year First Available
- IRB 6700—
- Explorer2009
Verified Deployments
- IRB 67000 Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- IRB 6700$200,000–$260,000 USD
- ExplorerContact for quote
Availability Status
- IRB 6700ACTIVE
- ExplorerACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Repeatability
- IRB 6700±0.07 mm
- Explorer—
IP Rating (Arm)
- IRB 6700IP67
- Explorer—
Reach
- IRB 67002,650 mm
- Explorer2,500 mm
Payload
- IRB 6700300 kg
- Explorer20 kg
Max TCP Speed
- IRB 67001.2 m/s
- Explorer—
Robot Weight
- IRB 67001,250 kg
- Explorer18.6 kg
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- IRB 6700IRC5
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
Teach Pendant Type
- IRB 6700Teach Pendant
- Explorer—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- IRB 6700$200,000–$260,000 USD
- ExplorerContact for quote
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Switzerland | United Kingdom |
| Year First Available (values differ) | — | 2009 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $200,000–$260,000 USD | Contact for quote |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Repeatability (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | ±0.07 mm | — |
| IP Rating (Arm) (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | IP67 | — |
| Reach (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | 2,650 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Payload (values differ) | 300 kg | 20 kg |
| Max TCP Speed (values differ) | 1.2 m/s | — |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 1,250 kg | 18.6 kg |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | IRC5 | Control and simulation unit |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | Teach Pendant | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $200,000–$260,000 USD | Contact for quote |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Degrees of Freedom, Path Accuracy, IP Rating (Wrist), Cycle Time (25/305/25), MTBF, Duty Cycle, Vibration Damping, Safety Category, Dual Check Safety, Safety I/O Pairs, E-Stop Response, Safe Zone Count, Programming Languages, Offline Programming, Digital Twin Support, Communication Protocols, ROS-Industrial Support, IoT / Cloud Platform, Cybersecurity Certs, Predictive Maintenance, Tool Flange Standard, Tool Changer (ISO), Internal Cable Routing, Pneumatic Lines, Electrical Lines, Warranty, Service Network, Spare Parts Lead Time, Expected Service Life
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | IRB 6700 | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $230,000 | No price |
| Payback period | 55.2 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $20,000 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +9% | — |
Explorer has no listed price, so payback can't be computed. Contact the manufacturer for a quote.
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes IRB 6700 and Explorer?
IRB 6700 is made by ABB, based in CH. Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB.
How do IRB 6700 and Explorer compare on the Robo Index?
IRB 6700 grades A on the Robo Index. Explorer grades AA. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
How does the reach of IRB 6700 compare to Explorer?
IRB 6700 has a reach of 3050 mm. Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm.
Are IRB 6700 and Explorer in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Industrial Arm on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Industrial Arm robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Industrial Arm TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: TCO of a 6-Axis Arm Cell: Hardware, EOAT, Integration, Programming.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between IRB 6700 and Explorer?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Industrial Arm Vendor Selection: Capability Matrices and Proof Points.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
TCO of a 6-Axis Arm Cell: Hardware, EOAT, Integration, Programming
7 min readIndustrial Arms
Industrial Arm Vendor Selection: Capability Matrices and Proof Points
9 min readIndustrial Arms
Programming Approaches: Teach Pendant, Offline, AI-Assisted — What Each Costs You
8 min readIndustrial Arms
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
IRB 6700 vs Explorer compares two robots in the industrial-arm category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.