BlueROV2 vs Kirobo
Side-by-side comparison of BlueROV2 (Blue Robotics) and Kirobo (Toyota) — 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
- BlueROV2United States
- KiroboJapan
Year First Available
- BlueROV22018
- Kirobo2013
Verified Deployments
- BlueROV20 Deployments
- Kirobo0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- BlueROV2$4,900–$6,080 USD
- KiroboContact for quote
Battery / Shift Runtime
- BlueROV23 hrs
- Kirobo2.5 hrs
Availability Status
- BlueROV2ACTIVE
- KiroboACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Reach
- BlueROV2850 mm
- Kirobo—
Payload Capacity
- BlueROV26.8 kg
- Kirobo—
Max Speed
- BlueROV21 m/s
- Kirobo—
Autonomy Level
- BlueROV2teleoperated
- Kirobo—
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United States | Japan |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2018 | 2013 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $4,900–$6,080 USD | Contact for quote |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 3 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Reach (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | 850 mm | — |
| Payload Capacity (values differ) | 6.8 kg | — |
| Max Speed (values differ) | 1 m/s | — |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | teleoperated | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: IP Rating
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 | BlueROV2 | Kirobo |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $5,490 | No price |
| Payback period | 1.3 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $244,510 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +4454% | — |
Kirobo 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 BlueROV2 and Kirobo?
BlueROV2 is made by Blue Robotics, based in US. Kirobo is made by Toyota, based in JP.
When were BlueROV2 and Kirobo launched?
BlueROV2 launched in 2018. Kirobo launched in 2013.
How do BlueROV2 and Kirobo compare on the Robo Index?
BlueROV2 grades B on the Robo Index. Kirobo 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.
Are BlueROV2 and Kirobo in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Research on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Research robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Research TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: The real cost of a research platform.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between BlueROV2 and Kirobo?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: The research-robot procurement RFP: questions and red flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The real cost of a research platform
7 min readResearch & Lab Robots
The research-robot procurement RFP: questions and red flags
11 min readResearch & Lab Robots
A 90-day playbook to stand up a new platform in a lab
8 min readResearch & Lab Robots
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
Want to be notified when specs or pricing change for these robots? Drop your email.
Other comparisons
About this comparison
BlueROV2 vs Kirobo compares two robots in the research 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.