Explorer vs YK-XG Series
Side-by-side comparison of Explorer (OC Robotics) and YK-XG Series (Yamaha Robotics) — 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
- YK-XG SeriesJapan
Year First Available
- Explorer2009
- YK-XG Series—
Verified Deployments
- Explorer0 Deployments
- YK-XG Series0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Availability Status
- ExplorerACTIVE
- YK-XG SeriesACTIVE
Arm Mechanics
Robot Weight
- Explorer18.6 kg
- YK-XG Series—
Payload
- Explorer20 kg
- YK-XG Series20 kg
Reach
- Explorer2,500 mm
- YK-XG Series600 mm
Degrees of Freedom
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series4
Repeatability
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series±0.01 mm
IP Rating (Arm)
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesIP20
Performance
Duty Cycle
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriescontinuous 24 7
Vibration Damping
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriespassive
Safety
Safety Category
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesCat.3 PLd
Dual Check Safety
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesYes
Safety I/O Pairs
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series8
E-Stop Response
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series100 ms
Safe Zone Count
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series4
Controller & Programming
Controller Model
- ExplorerControl and simulation unit
- YK-XG SeriesRCX340 / RCX341
Programming Languages
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesYamaha G-code, Yamaha BASIC-like language, RAPID (optional)
Teach Pendant Type
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Serieswired touch
Offline Programming
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesYamaha RoboGuide
Digital Twin Support
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesNo
Connectivity
ROS-Industrial Support
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriesnone
IoT / Cloud Platform
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesYamaha Connect
Cybersecurity Certs
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesIEC 62443 SL1
Predictive Maintenance
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriesthreshold based
End-Effector
Tool Flange Standard
- Explorer—
- YK-XG SeriesISO 9409-1
Tool Changer (ISO)
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriesproprietary
Internal Cable Routing
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriesthrough arm and wrist
Pneumatic Lines
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series2
Electrical Lines
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series8
Commercial
Service Network
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Seriesglobal
Spare Parts Lead Time
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series30 days
Expected Service Life
- Explorer—
- YK-XG Series10 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 Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 18.6 kg | — |
| Payload (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) | 20 kg | 20 kg |
| Reach (values differ) | 2,500 mm | 600 mm |
| Degrees of Freedom (values differ) | — | 4 |
| Repeatability (values differ) | — | ±0.01 mm |
| IP Rating (Arm) (values differ) | — | IP20 |
| Performance | ||
| Duty Cycle (values differ) | — | continuous 24 7 |
| Vibration Damping (values differ) | — | passive |
| Safety | ||
| Safety Category (values differ) | — | Cat.3 PLd |
| Dual Check Safety (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Safety I/O Pairs (values differ) | — | 8 |
| E-Stop Response (values differ) | — | 100 ms |
| Safe Zone Count (values differ) | — | 4 |
| Controller & Programming | ||
| Controller Model (values differ) | Control and simulation unit | RCX340 / RCX341 |
| Programming Languages (values differ) | — | Yamaha G-code, Yamaha BASIC-like language, RAPID (optional) |
| Teach Pendant Type (values differ) | — | wired touch |
| Offline Programming (values differ) | — | Yamaha RoboGuide |
| Digital Twin Support (values differ) | — | No |
| Connectivity | ||
| ROS-Industrial Support (values differ) | — | none |
| IoT / Cloud Platform (values differ) | — | Yamaha Connect |
| Cybersecurity Certs (values differ) | — | IEC 62443 SL1 |
| 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) | — | through arm and wrist |
| Pneumatic Lines (values differ) | — | 2 |
| Electrical Lines (values differ) | — | 8 |
| Commercial | ||
| Service Network (values differ) | — | global |
| Spare Parts Lead Time (values differ) | — | 30 days |
| Expected Service Life (values differ) | — | 10 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, Communication Protocols, Price (USD), Warranty
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 | YK-XG Series |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Explorer, YK-XG Series 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 YK-XG Series?
Explorer is made by OC Robotics, based in GB. YK-XG Series is made by Yamaha Robotics, based in JP.
How do Explorer and YK-XG Series compare on the Robo Index?
Explorer grades AA on the Robo Index. YK-XG Series 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 YK-XG Series?
Explorer has a reach of 2500 mm. YK-XG Series has a reach of 400 mm.
Are Explorer and YK-XG Series 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 YK-XG Series?
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 YK-XG Series 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.