Explorer vs M1 Pro
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and M1 Pro (Dobot) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Warehousing & Logistics buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
- M1 ProChina
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Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- M1 Pro—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- M1 Pro0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote
- M1 Pro$5,400–$7,141 USD
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- M1 ProACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- M1 Pro1.5 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- M1 Pro400 mm
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- M1 Pro±0.02 mm
Max TCP Speed
- Explorer—
- M1 Pro1 m/s
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- M1 Pro15.7 kg
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- M1 ProIP54
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- M1 Pro—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote
- M1 Pro$5,400–$7,141 USD
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | China |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2009 | — |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | Contact for quote | $5,400–$7,141 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Warehousing & Logistics buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 400 mm |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.02 mm |
| Max TCP Speed (values differ) | — | 1 m/s |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 15.7 kg |
| IP Rating (Arm) (values differ) | — | IP54 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $5,400–$7,141 USD |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Degrees of Freedom, Path Accuracy, 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, 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 | M1 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $6,271 |
| Payback period | — | 1.5 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $243,730 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +3887% |
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 M1 Pro?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. M1 Pro is made by Dobot, based in CN.
How do Explorer and M1 Pro compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. M1 Pro grades BBB. 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 M1 Pro?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. M1 Pro has a reach of 600 mm.
Are Explorer and M1 Pro 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 M1 Pro?
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 M1 Pro 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.