Explorer vs NB12
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and NB12 (Beijing ROKAE Technology Co., Ltd.) — 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
- NB12China
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- NB12—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- NB120 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote
- NB12$19,990 USD
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- NB12ACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- NB1225 kg
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- NB1269 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- NB12953 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- NB124
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- NB12±0.03 mm
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- NB12IP67
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- NB12—
Offline Programming
- Explorer—
- NB12RokaeStudio
End-Effector
Internal Cable Routing
- Explorer—
- NB12through arm
Pneumatic Lines
- Explorer—
- NB123
Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote
- NB12$19,990 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 | $19,990 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 25 kg |
| Robot Weight (priority for Hospitality & F&B buyers) (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 69 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 953 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 4 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.03 mm |
| IP Rating (Arm) (values differ) | — | IP67 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | — |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | RokaeStudio |
| End-Effector | ||
| Internal Cable Routing (values differ) | — | through arm |
| Pneumatic Lines (values differ) | — | 3 |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $19,990 USD |
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), 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, Digital Twin Support, Communication Protocols, ROS-Industrial Support, IoT / Cloud Platform, Cybersecurity Certs, Predictive Maintenance, Tool Flange Standard, Tool Changer (ISO), 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 | NB12 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $19,990 |
| Payback period | — | 4.8 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $230,010 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +1151% |
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 NB12?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. NB12 is made by Beijing ROKAE Technology Co., Ltd., based in CN.
How do Explorer and NB12 compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. NB12 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 NB12?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. NB12 has a reach of 953 mm.
Are Explorer and NB12 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 NB12?
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 NB12 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.