Explorer vs KR 500 R2800-2 HI
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and KR 500 R2800-2 HI (KUKA Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Manufacturing buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
- KR 500 R2800-2 HIGermany
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- KR 500 R2800-2 HIACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI2,800 mm
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI±0.08 mm
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI500 kg
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- KR 500 R2800-2 HIIP65
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- KR 500 R2800-2 HI1,671 kg
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- KR 500 R2800-2 HIKR C5
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | Germany |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2009 | — |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Reach (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 2,800 mm |
| Repeatability (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | ±0.08 mm |
| Payload (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 500 kg |
| IP Rating (Arm) (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | IP65 |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 1,671 kg |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | KR C5 |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, Battery / Shift Runtime, Degrees of Freedom, Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, 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 | KR 500 R2800-2 HI |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, KR 500 R2800-2 HI 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 KR 500 R2800-2 HI?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. KR 500 R2800-2 HI is made by KUKA Robotics, based in DE.
How do Explorer and KR 500 R2800-2 HI compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. KR 500 R2800-2 HI grades A. 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 KR 500 R2800-2 HI?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. KR 500 R2800-2 HI has a reach of 2800 mm.
Are Explorer and KR 500 R2800-2 HI 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 KR 500 R2800-2 HI?
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
Want to be notified when specs or pricing change for these robots? Drop your email.
Other comparisons
About this comparison
Explorer vs KR 500 R2800-2 HI 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.