Explorer vs KR SCARA
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and KR SCARA (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 SCARAGermany
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- KR SCARA—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- KR SCARA0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote
- KR SCARA$32,600–$35,000 USD
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- KR SCARAACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- KR SCARA650 mm
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- KR SCARA±0.02 mm
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- KR SCARA12 kg
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- KR SCARAIP54
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- KR SCARA4
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- KR SCARA—
Performance
Cycle Time (25/305/25)
- Explorer—
- KR SCARA0.4 s
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- KR SCARAcontinuous 24 7
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- KR SCARAKR C5
End-Effector
Internal Cable Routing
- Explorer—
- KR SCARAthrough arm
Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote
- KR SCARA$32,600–$35,000 USD
Service Network
- Explorer—
- KR SCARAglobal
| | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Price (values differ) | Contact for quote | $32,600–$35,000 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Reach (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 650 mm |
| Repeatability (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | ±0.02 mm |
| Payload (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 12 kg |
| IP Rating (Arm) (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | IP54 |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 4 |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | — |
| Performance | ||
| Cycle Time (25/305/25) (values differ) | — | 0.4 s |
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | continuous 24 7 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | KR C5 |
| End-Effector | ||
| Internal Cable Routing (values differ) | — | through arm |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $32,600–$35,000 USD |
| Service Network (values differ) | — | global |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, IP Rating (Wrist), 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), Pneumatic Lines, Electrical Lines, 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 SCARA |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $33,800 |
| Payback period | — | 8.1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $216,200 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +640% |
Explorer 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 Explorer and KR SCARA?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. KR SCARA is made by KUKA Robotics, based in DE.
How do Explorer and KR SCARA compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. KR SCARA 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 SCARA?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. KR SCARA has a reach of 1200 mm.
Are Explorer and KR SCARA 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 SCARA?
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 SCARA 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.