Explorer vs RoboTronic X500
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and RoboTronic X500 (RoboTronic Industries) — 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

- RoboTronic X500—

Year First Available
- Explorer2009

- RoboTronic X5002023

Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments

- RoboTronic X5000 Deployments

Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote

- RoboTronic X500$15,000 USD

Battery / Shift Runtime
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X5008 hrs

Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE

- RoboTronic X500ACTIVE

Arm Mechanics
Payload
- Explorer20 kg

- RoboTronic X50035 kg

Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm

- RoboTronic X500585 mm

Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X5006

Repeatability
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X500±0.02 mm

Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg

- RoboTronic X5000.6 kg

Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit

- RoboTronic X500Fanuc M-20iD/35

Programming Languages
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X500G-Code

Teach Pendant Type
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X500no pendant (browser UI)

Offline Programming
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X500Repetier-Host/Cura

Connectivity
ROS-Industrial Support
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X500none

Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote

- RoboTronic X500$15,000 USD

Warranty
- Explorer—

- RoboTronic X5002 yrs

![]() | ![]() | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | — |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2009 | 2023 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | Contact for quote | $15,000 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Warehousing & Logistics buyers) (values differ) | — | 8 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Payload (priority for Warehousing & Logistics buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 35 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 585 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.02 mm |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 0.6 kg |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | Fanuc M-20iD/35 |
| Programming Languages (values differ) | — | G-Code |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | — | no pendant (browser UI) |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | Repetier-Host/Cura |
| Connectivity | ||
| ROS-Industrial Support (values differ) | — | none |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $15,000 USD |
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 2 yrs |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Path Accuracy, Max TCP Speed, IP Rating (Arm), 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, Digital Twin Support, Communication Protocols, IoT / Cloud Platform, Cybersecurity Certs, Predictive Maintenance, Tool Flange Standard, Tool Changer (ISO), Internal Cable Routing, Pneumatic Lines, Electrical Lines, 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 | RoboTronic X500 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $15,000 |
| Payback period | — | 3.6 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $235,000 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +1567% |
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 RoboTronic X500?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. RoboTronic X500 is made by RoboTronic Industries.
When were Explorer and RoboTronic X500 launched?
Explorer launched in 2009. RoboTronic X500 launched in 2023.
How do Explorer and RoboTronic X500 compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. RoboTronic X500 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 RoboTronic X500?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. RoboTronic X500 has a reach of 585 mm.
Are Explorer and RoboTronic X500 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 RoboTronic X500?
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 RoboTronic X500 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.