Explorer vs X-Arm 5
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and X-Arm 5 (UFACTORY) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- ExplorerUnited Kingdom
- X-Arm 5China
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- X-Arm 5—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- X-Arm 50 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- ExplorerContact for quote
- X-Arm 5$5,000–$6,076 USD
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- X-Arm 5ACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- X-Arm 512.2 kg
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- X-Arm 55 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- X-Arm 5700 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 57
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5±0.1 mm
Max TCP Speed
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 51 m/s
Performance
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5continuous 24 7
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- X-Arm 5AC Control Box / DC Control Box
Programming Languages
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5Python, C++
Teach Pendant Type
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5no pendant (browser UI)
Offline Programming
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5UFACTORY Studio
Digital Twin Support
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5Yes
Connectivity
ROS-Industrial Support
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5vendor supported
Predictive Maintenance
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5threshold based
End-Effector
Tool Flange Standard
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5ISO9409-1-50
Internal Cable Routing
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5through arm and wrist
Commercial
Price (USD)
- ExplorerContact for quote
- X-Arm 5$5,000–$6,076 USD
Warranty
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 51 yrs
Service Network
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 5regional
Expected Service Life
- Explorer—
- X-Arm 53 yrs
| ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $5,000–$6,076 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Arm Mechanics | ||
| Robot Weight (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 18.6 kg | 12.2 kg |
| Payload (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 20 kg | 5 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 700 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 7 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.1 mm |
| Max TCP Speed (values differ) | — | 1 m/s |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | continuous 24 7 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | AC Control Box / DC Control Box |
| Programming Languages (values differ) | — | Python, C++ |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | — | no pendant (browser UI) |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | UFACTORY Studio |
| Digital Twin Support (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Connectivity | ||
| ROS-Industrial Support (values differ) | — | vendor supported |
| Predictive Maintenance (values differ) | — | threshold based |
| End-Effector | ||
| Tool Flange Standard (values differ) | — | ISO9409-1-50 |
| Internal Cable Routing (values differ) | — | through arm and wrist |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $5,000–$6,076 USD |
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 1 yrs |
| Service Network (values differ) | — | regional |
| Expected Service Life (values differ) | — | 3 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, Communication Protocols, IoT / Cloud Platform, Cybersecurity Certs, Tool Changer (ISO), Pneumatic Lines, Electrical Lines, 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 | X-Arm 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | $5,538 |
| Payback period | — | 1.3 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | $244,462 |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | +4414% |
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 X-Arm 5?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. X-Arm 5 is made by UFACTORY, based in CN.
How do Explorer and X-Arm 5 compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. X-Arm 5 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 X-Arm 5?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. X-Arm 5 has a reach of 700 mm.
Are Explorer and X-Arm 5 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 X-Arm 5?
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 X-Arm 5 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.