European Robotic Arm vs Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of European Robotic Arm (Astrium) and Explorer (OC Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Agriculture buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- European Robotic Arm—
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
Year First Available
- European Robotic Arm2021
- Explorer2009
Verified Deployments
- European Robotic Arm0 Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- European Robotic ArmACTIVE
- ExplorerACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Payload
- European Robotic Arm8,000 kg
- Explorer20 kg
Reach
- European Robotic Arm9,700 mm
- Explorer2,500 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- European Robotic Arm7
- Explorer—
Repeatability
- European Robotic Arm±5 mm
- Explorer—
Max TCP Speed
- European Robotic Arm0.1 m/s
- Explorer—
Robot Weight
- European Robotic Arm630 kg
- Explorer18.6 kg
Performance
Duty Cycle
- European Robotic Armcontinuous 24 7
- Explorer—
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- European Robotic Arm—
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
Commercial
Service Network
- European Robotic Armglobal
- Explorer—
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | — | United Kingdom |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2021 | 2009 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 8,000 kg | 20 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 9,700 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | 7 | — |
| Repeatability (values differ) | ±5 mm | — |
| Max TCP Speed (values differ) | 0.1 m/s | — |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 630 kg | 18.6 kg |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | continuous 24 7 | — |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | — | Control and simulation unit |
| Commercial | ||
| Service Network (values differ) | global | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, Battery / Shift Runtime, Path Accuracy, IP Rating (Arm), 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, Teach Pendant Type, 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, Price (USD), Warranty, 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 | European Robotic Arm | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
European Robotic Arm, 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 European Robotic Arm and Explorer?
European Robotic Arm is made by Astrium. Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB.
When were European Robotic Arm and Explorer launched?
European Robotic Arm launched in 2021. Explorer launched in 2009.
How do European Robotic Arm and Explorer compare on the Robo Index?
European Robotic Arm 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 European Robotic Arm compare to Explorer?
European Robotic Arm has a reach of 11000 mm. Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm.
Are European Robotic Arm 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 European Robotic Arm 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
European Robotic Arm 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.