Skypod vs Handle
Side-by-side comparison of Skypod (Exotec SAS) and Handle (Boston Dynamics, Inc. (Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary)) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Hospitality & F&B buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- SkypodFrance
- HandleUnited States
Year First Available
- Skypod2017
- Handle2019
Verified Deployments
- Skypod0 Deployments
- Handle0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Skypod$65,000–$180,000 USD
- HandleContact for quote
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Skypod—
- Handle4 hrs
Availability Status
- SkypodACTIVE
- HandleACTIVE
Payload & Form Factor
Payload
- Skypod30 kg
- Handle30 kg
AMR Subtype
- Skypodgoods to person
- Handlepallet mover
Navigation & Sensing
Navigation Type
- Skypodother
- Handle—
Pedestrian Detection
- Skypod—
- HandleYes
Battery
Battery Chemistry
- Skypodli ion
- Handle—
Auto Docking
- Skypod—
- HandleYes
Battery Swap
- Skypod—
- HandleYes
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Skypod$65,000–$180,000 USD
- HandleContact for quote
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | France | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2017 | 2019 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $65,000–$180,000 USD | Contact for quote |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | — | 4 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload & Form Factor | ||
| Payload (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) | 30 kg | 30 kg |
| AMR Subtype (values differ) | goods to person | pallet mover |
| Navigation & Sensing | ||
| Navigation Type (values differ) | other | — |
| Pedestrian Detection (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Chemistry (values differ) | li ion | — |
| Auto Docking (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $65,000–$180,000 USD | Contact for quote |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Length, Width, Turning Radius, Min Aisle Width, Ground Clearance, Robot Weight, Localization Accuracy, Docking Repeatability, Obstacle Detection Range, Min Object Detection Height, Max Speed (Loaded), Max Speed (Unloaded), Picks / Hour / Robot, Battery Capacity, Runtime (Loaded), Charging Time, Opportunity Charging, Charge Cycles (Rated), ISO 3691-4 Certified, R15.08 Certified, Safety Category, Emergency Stops, Safety LiDAR Coverage, Safety Zone Count, Audible Alert, WMS Integrations, API Type, Fleet Size Supported, Multi-Robot Traffic Mgmt, OTA Updates, Cybersecurity Certs, MTBF, Uptime SLA, Predictive Maintenance, Field Service Response, Spare Parts Lead Time, RaaS / Month, Pricing Models, Warranty, 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 | Skypod | Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $122,500 | No price |
| Payback period | 29.4 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $127,500 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +104% | — |
Handle 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 Skypod and Handle?
Skypod is made by Exotec SAS, based in FR. Handle is made by Boston Dynamics, Inc. (Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary), based in US.
When were Skypod and Handle launched?
Skypod launched in 2017. Handle launched in 2019.
How do Skypod and Handle compare on the Robo Score?
Skypod scores 72.5 on the Robo Score. Handle scores 59.6. 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 Skypod and Handle in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Amr Warehouse on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Amr Warehouse robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Amr Warehouse TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: AMR TCO: Fleet Size, Charging Infrastructure, and WMS Integration.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Skypod and Handle?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: AMR Vendor Selection: Orchestration, Integration, and Scaling.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
AMR TCO: Fleet Size, Charging Infrastructure, and WMS Integration
8 min readWarehouse AMRs
AMR Vendor Selection: Orchestration, Integration, and Scaling
9 min readWarehouse AMRs
AMR Pilot in an Existing Warehouse: The 90-Day Playbook
9 min readWarehouse AMRs
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
Skypod vs Handle compares two robots in the amr-warehouse 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.