Explorer vs RoboForm
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and RoboForm (Metalcraft Automation Group) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Agriculture buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
- RoboFormUnited States
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- RoboForm—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- RoboForm0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- RoboFormACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- RoboForm25 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- RoboForm—
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- RoboForm6
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- RoboForm—
Performance
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- RoboFormcontinuous 24 7
Safety
Dual Check Safety
- Explorer—
- RoboFormYes
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- RoboFormFanuc Robotics
Programming Languages
- Explorer—
- RoboFormKAREL, TP
Teach Pendant Type
- Explorer—
- RoboFormteach pendant
Offline Programming
- Explorer—
- RoboFormROBOGUIDE
Digital Twin Support
- Explorer—
- RoboFormNo
Connectivity
ROS-Industrial Support
- Explorer—
- RoboFormcommunity
Predictive Maintenance
- Explorer—
- RoboFormthreshold based
End-Effector
Tool Flange Standard
- Explorer—
- RoboFormISO 9409-1
Tool Changer (ISO)
- Explorer—
- RoboFormproprietary
Internal Cable Routing
- Explorer—
- RoboFormexternal only
Commercial
Warranty
- Explorer—
- RoboForm1 yrs
Service Network
- Explorer—
- RoboFormregional
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | United States |
| 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 | ||
| Payload (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 25 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | — |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | — |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | continuous 24 7 |
| Safety | ||
| Dual Check Safety (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | Fanuc Robotics |
| Programming Languages (values differ) | — | KAREL, TP |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | — | teach pendant |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | ROBOGUIDE |
| Digital Twin Support (values differ) | — | No |
| Connectivity | ||
| ROS-Industrial Support (values differ) | — | community |
| Predictive Maintenance (values differ) | — | threshold based |
| End-Effector | ||
| Tool Flange Standard (values differ) | — | ISO 9409-1 |
| Tool Changer (ISO) (values differ) | — | proprietary |
| Internal Cable Routing (values differ) | — | external only |
| Commercial | ||
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 1 yrs |
| Service Network (values differ) | — | regional |
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 (Arm), IP Rating (Wrist), Cycle Time (25/305/25), MTBF, Vibration Damping, Safety Category, Safety I/O Pairs, E-Stop Response, Safe Zone Count, Communication Protocols, IoT / Cloud Platform, Cybersecurity Certs, Pneumatic Lines, Electrical Lines, Price (USD), 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 | RoboForm |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, RoboForm 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 RoboForm?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. RoboForm is made by Metalcraft Automation Group, based in US.
How do Explorer and RoboForm compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. RoboForm 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.
Are Explorer and RoboForm 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 RoboForm?
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 RoboForm 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.