HRP-4 vs Hubo 2
Side-by-side comparison of HRP-4 (Kawada Industries) and Hubo 2 (KAIST) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
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Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- HRP-4Japan
- Hubo 2South Korea
Year First Available
- HRP-42010
- Hubo 22009
Verified Deployments
- HRP-40 Deployments
- Hubo 20 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- HRP-4$300,000–$305,000 USD
- Hubo 2$400,000 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- HRP-40.4 hrs
- Hubo 21.5 hrs
Availability Status
- HRP-4ACTIVE
- Hubo 2ACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Weight
- HRP-439 kg
- Hubo 245 kg
Height
- HRP-4151 mm
- Hubo 2125 mm
Mobility Type
- HRP-4bipedal
- Hubo 2bipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- HRP-4research platform
- Hubo 2full bipedal
Walking Speed
- HRP-40.6 m/s
- Hubo 21.5 m/s
Running Capable
- HRP-4—
- Hubo 2dynamic walk
Stair Climbing
- HRP-4No
- Hubo 2No
Terrain
- HRP-4flat indoor
- Hubo 2flat indoor
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- HRP-40.5 kg
- Hubo 22 kg
Total DOF
- HRP-434
- Hubo 240
Arm DOF
- HRP-47
- Hubo 27
Hand DOF
- HRP-42
- Hubo 25
Bimanual Coordination
- HRP-4Yes
- Hubo 2Yes
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- HRP-4Linux kernel with RT-Preempt patch
- Hubo 2Two PC/104 embedded computers with solid-state drives
Compute Platform
- HRP-4Intel Pentium M (1.6 GHz)
- Hubo 2—
VLM Capable
- HRP-4No
- Hubo 2No
Foundation Models
- HRP-4false
- Hubo 2—
Imitation Learning
- HRP-4No
- Hubo 2No
Programming
- HRP-4code_ros
- Hubo 2code_ros, proprietary_app, teleoperation
Battery & Power
Runtime
- HRP-40.4 hrs
- Hubo 21.5 hrs
Battery Swap
- HRP-4No
- Hubo 2No
Safety
Human Detection Method
- HRP-4vision human
- Hubo 2—
Software
SDK Languages
- HRP-4Linux
- Hubo 2code_ros, proprietary_app, teleoperation
ROS Support
- HRP-4Yes
- Hubo 2Yes
Open API
- HRP-4No
- Hubo 2Yes
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- HRP-4prototype
- Hubo 2research
Commercial
Price (USD)
- HRP-4$300,000–$305,000 USD
- Hubo 2$400,000 USD
Price Tier
- HRP-4150K+
- Hubo 2150K+
Pricing Model
- HRP-4purchase
- Hubo 2purchase
Applications
- HRP-4research
- Hubo 2robotics education, research, service robotics, disaster response
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Japan | South Korea |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2010 | 2009 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $300,000–$305,000 USD | $400,000 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 0.4 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Weight (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 39 kg | 45 kg |
| Height (values differ) | 151 mm | 125 mm |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype (values differ) | research platform | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 0.6 m/s | 1.5 m/s |
| Running Capable (values differ) | — | dynamic walk |
| Stair Climbing | No | No |
| Terrain (values differ) | flat indoor | flat indoor |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 0.5 kg | 2 kg |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 34 | 40 |
| Arm DOF | 7 | 7 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 2 | 5 |
| Bimanual Coordination | Yes | Yes |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Linux kernel with RT-Preempt patch | Two PC/104 embedded computers with solid-state drives |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Intel Pentium M (1.6 GHz) | — |
| VLM Capable | No | No |
| Foundation Models (values differ) | false | — |
| Imitation Learning | No | No |
| Programming (values differ) | code_ros | code_ros, proprietary_app, teleoperation |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 0.4 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Battery Swap | No | No |
| Safety | ||
| Human Detection Method (values differ) | vision human | — |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | Linux | code_ros, proprietary_app, teleoperation |
| ROS Support | Yes | Yes |
| Open API (values differ) | No | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | prototype | research |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $300,000–$305,000 USD | $400,000 USD |
| Price Tier | 150K+ | 150K+ |
| Pricing Model | purchase | purchase |
| Applications (values differ) | research | robotics education, research, service robotics, disaster response |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload (Peak), Arm Reach, Grip Strength, Manipulation Repeatability, Tool Use, Teleoperation, Battery Capacity, Charging Time, Charging Method, Avg Power Consumption, Force-Limited Arms, Fall Recovery, Fall Detection Response, Emergency Stops, Safe Speed Near Humans, Simulation Platforms, Air-Gap Capable, MTBF, Task Success Rate, IP Rating, Noise Level, RaaS / Month, Developer Unit Price, Delivery Lead Time, Warranty, Production Pilots
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 | HRP-4 | Hubo 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $302,500 | $400,000 |
| Payback period | 72.6 mo | 96.0 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | -$52,500 | -$150,000 |
| ROI (5 yr) | -17% | -38% |
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 HRP-4 and Hubo 2?
HRP-4 is made by Kawada Industries, based in JP. Hubo 2 is made by KAIST, based in KR.
When were HRP-4 and Hubo 2 launched?
HRP-4 launched in 2010. Hubo 2 launched in 2009.
How do HRP-4 and Hubo 2 compare on the Robo Index?
HRP-4 grades AA on the Robo Index. Hubo 2 grades AA. 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.
What is the payload difference between HRP-4 and Hubo 2?
HRP-4 carries up to 0.5 kg. Hubo 2 carries up to 2 kg.
Are HRP-4 and Hubo 2 in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Humanoid on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Humanoid robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Humanoid TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: Humanoid TCO: Hardware, Cloud Subscriptions, and the Cost of Teleop Time.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between HRP-4 and Hubo 2?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Vendor Selection for Humanoids: The 10 Questions You Must Ask.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Humanoid TCO: Hardware, Cloud Subscriptions, and the Cost of Teleop Time
8 min readHumanoid Robots
Vendor Selection for Humanoids: The 10 Questions You Must Ask
10 min readHumanoid Robots
Running a Humanoid Pilot: Scope, Success Criteria, and Exit Options
9 min readHumanoid Robots
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
HRP-4 vs Hubo 2 compares two robots in the humanoid 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.