Explorer vs RP4
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and RP4 (Rh 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
- RP4—
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- RP42022
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- RP40 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote
- RP4$25,000 USD
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- RP4ACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- RP4400 mm
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- RP4±0.02 mm
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- RP43 kg
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- RP44
Max TCP Speed
- Explorer—
- RP44.7 m/s
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- RP416 kg
Performance
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- RP4multi shift
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- RP4RC8
Offline Programming
- Explorer—
- RP4WINCAPS III Offline Software
End-Effector
Pneumatic Lines
- Explorer—
- RP43
Electrical Lines
- Explorer—
- RP415
Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote
- RP4$25,000 USD
Service Network
- Explorer—
- RP4global
Expected Service Life
- Explorer—
- RP45 yrs
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | — |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2009 | 2022 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | Contact for quote | $25,000 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Reach (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 400 mm |
| Repeatability (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | ±0.02 mm |
| Payload (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 3 kg |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 4 |
| Max TCP Speed (values differ) | — | 4.7 m/s |
| Robot Weight (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 16 kg |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | multi shift |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | RC8 |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | WINCAPS III Offline Software |
| End-Effector | ||
| Pneumatic Lines (values differ) | — | 3 |
| Electrical Lines (values differ) | — | 15 |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $25,000 USD |
| Service Network (values differ) | — | global |
| Expected Service Life (values differ) | — | 5 yrs |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Path Accuracy, IP Rating (Arm), IP Rating (Wrist), Cycle Time (25/305/25), MTBF, 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), Internal Cable Routing, Warranty, Spare Parts Lead Time
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 | RP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $25,000 |
| Payback period | — | 6.0 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $225,000 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +900% |
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 RP4?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. RP4 is made by Rh Robotics.
When were Explorer and RP4 launched?
Explorer launched in 2009. RP4 launched in 2022.
How do Explorer and RP4 compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. RP4 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 RP4?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. RP4 has a reach of 400 mm.
Are Explorer and RP4 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 RP4?
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 RP4 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.