Explorer vs VM1800/1500
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and VM1800/1500 (DENSO) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Home & Household buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
- VM1800/1500Japan
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- VM1800/1500—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- VM1800/15000 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- VM1800/1500ACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- VM1800/15000.1 kg
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- VM1800/150025 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- VM1800/15001,300 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- VM1800/15006
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- VM1800/1500±0.05 mm
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- VM1800/1500IP67
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- VM1800/1500RC8
Commercial
Warranty
- Explorer—
- VM1800/15003 yrs
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United Kingdom | Japan |
| 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 | ||
| Robot Weight (priority for Home & Household buyers) (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 0.1 kg |
| Payload (values differ) | 20 kg | 25 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 1,300 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.05 mm |
| IP Rating (Arm) (values differ) | — | IP67 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | RC8 |
| Commercial | ||
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 3 yrs |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, 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, 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, Price (USD), 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 | VM1800/1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, VM1800/1500 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 VM1800/1500?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. VM1800/1500 is made by DENSO, based in JP.
How do Explorer and VM1800/1500 compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. VM1800/1500 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 VM1800/1500?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. VM1800/1500 has a reach of 900 mm.
Are Explorer and VM1800/1500 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 VM1800/1500?
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 VM1800/1500 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.