Explorer vs JEM Remote Manipulator System
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and JEM Remote Manipulator System (Hitachi) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, 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
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom

- JEM Remote Manipulator SystemJapan

Year First Available
- Explorer2009

- JEM Remote Manipulator System2008

Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments

- JEM Remote Manipulator System0 Deployments

Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE

- JEM Remote Manipulator SystemACTIVE

Arm Mechanics
Payload
- Explorer20 kg

- JEM Remote Manipulator System7,000 kg

Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg

- JEM Remote Manipulator System780 kg

Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm

- JEM Remote Manipulator System10,000 mm

Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—

- JEM Remote Manipulator System6

Repeatability
- Explorer—

- JEM Remote Manipulator System±50 mm

Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit

- JEM Remote Manipulator SystemJEMRMS Console

![]() | ![]() | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | Japan |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2009 | 2008 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 7,000 kg |
| Robot Weight (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 780 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 10,000 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±50 mm |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | JEMRMS Console |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, Battery / Shift Runtime, Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, IP Rating (Arm), IP Rating (Wrist), Cycle Time (25/305/25), MTBF, Duty Cycle, 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, Service Network, 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 | Explorer | JEM Remote Manipulator System |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, JEM Remote Manipulator System 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 Explorer and JEM Remote Manipulator System?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. JEM Remote Manipulator System is made by Hitachi, based in JP.
When were Explorer and JEM Remote Manipulator System launched?
Explorer launched in 2009. JEM Remote Manipulator System launched in 2008.
How do Explorer and JEM Remote Manipulator System compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. JEM Remote Manipulator System grades BB. 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 Explorer compare to JEM Remote Manipulator System?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. JEM Remote Manipulator System has a reach of 10000 mm.
Are Explorer and JEM Remote Manipulator System 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 Explorer and JEM Remote Manipulator System?
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
Explorer vs JEM Remote Manipulator System 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.