Colias vs Saildrone Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of Colias (Computer Intelligence Lab at the University of Lincoln) and Saildrone Explorer (Saildrone Inc.) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, 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
- Colias—
- Saildrone ExplorerUnited States
Year First Available
- Colias2018
- Saildrone Explorer2015
Verified Deployments
- Colias0 Deployments
- Saildrone Explorer0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Colias1.5 hrs
- Saildrone Explorer8,760 hrs
Availability Status
- ColiasACTIVE
- Saildrone ExplorerACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- Colias5 kg
- Saildrone Explorer20 kg
Reach
- Colias850 mm
- Saildrone Explorer900 mm
Max Speed
- Colias0.4 m/s
- Saildrone Explorer8 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Colias—
- Saildrone Explorerfully autonomous
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | — | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2018 | 2015 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | 1.5 hrs | 8,760 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (priority for Last-Mile Delivery buyers) (values differ) | 5 kg | 20 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 850 mm | 900 mm |
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.4 m/s | 8 m/s |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | — | fully autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, 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 | Colias | Saildrone Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Colias, Saildrone Explorer have 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 Colias and Saildrone Explorer?
Colias is made by Computer Intelligence Lab at the University of Lincoln. Saildrone Explorer is made by Saildrone Inc., based in US.
When were Colias and Saildrone Explorer launched?
Colias launched in 2018. Saildrone Explorer launched in 2015.
How do Colias and Saildrone Explorer compare on the Robo Score?
Colias scores 40.9 on the Robo Score. Saildrone Explorer scores 66.5. The Robo Score is a 0–100 credibility figure blending commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Colias and Saildrone Explorer 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 Colias and Saildrone 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: 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
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About this comparison
Colias vs Saildrone Explorer 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 Score is calculated.