AIR12SC1000 vs Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of AIR12SC1000 (AE Robotics Co., Ltd.) and Explorer (OC Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Last-Mile Delivery buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- AIR12SC1000China
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
Year First Available
- AIR12SC10002020
- Explorer2009
Verified Deployments
- AIR12SC10000 Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- AIR12SC1000$11,100 USD
- ExplorerContact for quote
Availability Status
- AIR12SC1000ACTIVE
- ExplorerACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Payload
- AIR12SC100012 kg
- Explorer20 kg
IP Rating (Arm)
- AIR12SC1000IP54
- Explorer—
Reach
- AIR12SC10001,000 mm
- Explorer2,500 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- AIR12SC10004
- Explorer—
Repeatability
- AIR12SC1000±0.02 mm
- Explorer—
Robot Weight
- AIR12SC100054 kg
- Explorer18.6 kg
Performance
Duty Cycle
- AIR12SC1000continuous 24 7
- Explorer—
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- AIR12SC1000inCube2S-20
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
Teach Pendant Type
- AIR12SC1000wired button
- Explorer—
End-Effector
Pneumatic Lines
- AIR12SC10004
- Explorer—
Electrical Lines
- AIR12SC100020
- Explorer—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- AIR12SC1000$11,100 USD
- ExplorerContact for quote
Warranty
- AIR12SC10001 yrs
- Explorer—
Service Network
- AIR12SC1000regional
- Explorer—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | China | United Kingdom |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2020 | 2009 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $11,100 USD | Contact for quote |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | 12 kg | 20 kg |
| IP Rating (Arm) (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | IP54 | — |
| Reach (values differ) | 1,000 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | 4 | — |
| Repeatability (values differ) | ±0.02 mm | — |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 54 kg | 18.6 kg |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | continuous 24 7 | — |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | inCube2S-20 | Control and simulation unit |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | wired button | — |
| End-Effector | ||
| Pneumatic Lines (values differ) | 4 | — |
| Electrical Lines (values differ) | 20 | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $11,100 USD | Contact for quote |
| Warranty (values differ) | 1 yrs | — |
| Service Network (values differ) | regional | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, IP Rating (Wrist), Cycle Time (25/305/25), MTBF, 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, 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 | AIR12SC1000 | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $11,100 | No price |
| Payback period | 2.7 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $238,900 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +2152% | — |
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 AIR12SC1000 and Explorer?
AIR12SC1000 is made by AE Robotics Co., Ltd., based in CN. Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB.
When were AIR12SC1000 and Explorer launched?
AIR12SC1000 launched in 2020. Explorer launched in 2009.
How do AIR12SC1000 and Explorer compare on the Robo Index?
AIR12SC1000 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 AIR12SC1000 compare to Explorer?
AIR12SC1000 has a reach of 1000 mm. Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm.
Are AIR12SC1000 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 AIR12SC1000 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
AIR12SC1000 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.