HRP-4 vs Robonaut 1A
Side-by-side comparison of HRP-4 (Kawada Industries) and Robonaut 1A (NASA and DARPA) — specs, pricing, Robolist Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- HRP-4Japan
- Robonaut 1AUnited States
Year First Available
- HRP-42010
- Robonaut 1A2011
Verified Deployments
- HRP-40 Deployments
- Robonaut 1A0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- HRP-4$300,000–$305,000
- Robonaut 1A$150,000
Battery / Shift Runtime
- HRP-40.4 hrs
- Robonaut 1A8 hrs
Availability Status
- HRP-4ACTIVE
- Robonaut 1AACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Height
- HRP-4151 mm
- Robonaut 1A1880 mm
Weight
- HRP-439 kg
- Robonaut 1A60 kg
Mobility Type
- HRP-4bipedal
- Robonaut 1Abipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- HRP-4research platform
- Robonaut 1Afull bipedal
Walking Speed
- HRP-40.6 m/s
- Robonaut 1A1.2 m/s
Stair Climbing
- HRP-4No
- Robonaut 1ANo
Terrain
- HRP-4flat indoor
- Robonaut 1Azero gravity
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- HRP-40.5 kg
- Robonaut 1A9.1 kg
Total DOF
- HRP-434
- Robonaut 1A14
Arm DOF
- HRP-47
- Robonaut 1A7
Hand DOF
- HRP-42
- Robonaut 1A5
Bimanual Coordination
- HRP-4Yes
- Robonaut 1ANo
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- HRP-4Linux kernel with RT-Preempt patch
- Robonaut 1ANVIDIA Jetson Xavier
Compute Platform
- HRP-4Intel Pentium M (1.6 GHz)
- Robonaut 1A—
VLM Capable
- HRP-4No
- Robonaut 1ANo
Foundation Models
- HRP-4false
- Robonaut 1Afalse
Imitation Learning
- HRP-4No
- Robonaut 1ANo
Programming
- HRP-4code_ros
- Robonaut 1Acode_python, code_ros, visual_block
Battery & Power
Runtime
- HRP-40.4 hrs
- Robonaut 1A8 hrs
Battery Swap
- HRP-4No
- Robonaut 1A—
Safety
Human Detection Method
- HRP-4vision human
- Robonaut 1A—
Software
SDK Languages
- HRP-4Linux
- Robonaut 1Acode_python, code_ros, visual_block
ROS Support
- HRP-4Yes
- Robonaut 1AYes
Open API
- HRP-4No
- Robonaut 1AYes
Reliability
IP Rating
- HRP-4—
- Robonaut 1AIP54
Deployment Maturity
- HRP-4prototype
- Robonaut 1Acommercial
Commercial
Price (USD)
- HRP-4$300,000–$305,000
- Robonaut 1A$150,000
Price Tier
- HRP-4150K+
- Robonaut 1A150K+
Pricing Model
- HRP-4purchase
- Robonaut 1Apurchase
Warranty
- HRP-4—
- Robonaut 1A1 yrs
Applications
- HRP-4research
- Robonaut 1Aresearch, hazardous_env
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Japan | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2010 | 2011 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $300,000–$305,000 | $150,000 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 0.4 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Height (values differ) | 151 mm | 1880 mm |
| Weight (values differ) | 39 kg | 60 kg |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype (values differ) | research platform | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 0.6 m/s | 1.2 m/s |
| Stair Climbing | No | No |
| Terrain (values differ) | flat indoor | zero gravity |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 0.5 kg | 9.1 kg |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 34 | 14 |
| Arm DOF | 7 | 7 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 2 | 5 |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | Yes | No |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Linux kernel with RT-Preempt patch | NVIDIA Jetson Xavier |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Intel Pentium M (1.6 GHz) | — |
| VLM Capable | No | No |
| Foundation Models | false | false |
| Imitation Learning | No | No |
| Programming (values differ) | code_ros | code_python, code_ros, visual_block |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 0.4 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | No | — |
| Safety | ||
| Human Detection Method (values differ) | vision human | — |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | Linux | code_python, code_ros, visual_block |
| ROS Support | Yes | Yes |
| Open API (values differ) | No | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| IP Rating (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | — | IP54 |
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | prototype | commercial |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $300,000–$305,000 | $150,000 |
| Price Tier | 150K+ | 150K+ |
| Pricing Model | purchase | purchase |
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 1 yrs |
| Applications (values differ) | research | research, hazardous_env |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Running Capable, 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, Noise Level, RaaS / Month, Developer Unit Price, Delivery Lead Time, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes HRP-4 and Robonaut 1A?
HRP-4 is made by Kawada Industries, based in JP. Robonaut 1A is made by NASA and DARPA, based in US.
When were HRP-4 and Robonaut 1A launched?
HRP-4 launched in 2010. Robonaut 1A launched in 2011.
How do HRP-4 and Robonaut 1A compare on the Robolist Index?
HRP-4 scores 100/100. Robonaut 1A scores 91/100. The Robolist Index blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
What is the payload difference between HRP-4 and Robonaut 1A?
HRP-4 carries up to 0.5 kg. Robonaut 1A carries up to 9.07 kg.
Are HRP-4 and Robonaut 1A 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 Robonaut 1A?
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 Robonaut 1A 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 Robolist Index is calculated.