Explorer vs KR IONTEC ultra
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and KR IONTEC ultra (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 IONTEC ultraGermany
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- KR IONTEC ultra—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- KR IONTEC ultra0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- KR IONTEC ultraACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- KR IONTEC ultra2,702 mm
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- KR IONTEC ultra120 kg
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- KR IONTEC ultraIP 65
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- KR IONTEC ultra6
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- KR IONTEC ultra—
Performance
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- KR IONTEC ultracontinuous 24 7
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- KR IONTEC ultraKR C5
Commercial
Service Network
- Explorer—
- KR IONTEC ultraglobal
| | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2,702 mm |
| Payload (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 120 kg |
| IP Rating (Arm) (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | IP 65 |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | — |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | continuous 24 7 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | KR C5 |
| 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, Repeatability, Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, 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 | Explorer | KR IONTEC ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, KR IONTEC ultra 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 IONTEC ultra?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. KR IONTEC ultra is made by KUKA Robotics, based in DE.
How do Explorer and KR IONTEC ultra compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. KR IONTEC ultra 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 IONTEC ultra?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. KR IONTEC ultra has a reach of 3101 mm.
Are Explorer and KR IONTEC ultra 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 IONTEC ultra?
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 KR IONTEC ultra 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.