i-Limb vs qb SoftHand Research
Side-by-side comparison of i-Limb (Touch Bionics) and qb SoftHand Research (qb robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
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Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- i-LimbIceland
- qb SoftHand ResearchItaly
Year First Available
- i-Limb2011
- qb SoftHand Research2018
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- i-Limb$18,000 USD
- qb SoftHand Research$8,625 USD
Availability Status
- i-LimbACTIVE
- qb SoftHand ResearchACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Payload Capacity
- i-Limb—
- qb SoftHand Research1.7 kg
Autonomy Level
- i-Limbpartially autonomous
- qb SoftHand Researchfully autonomous
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Iceland | Italy |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2011 | 2018 |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $18,000 USD | $8,625 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Payload Capacity (values differ) | — | 1.7 kg |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | partially autonomous | fully autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Verified Deployments, Battery / Shift Runtime, Reach, Max Speed, IP Rating
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 | i-Limb | qb SoftHand Research |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $18,000 | $8,625 |
| Payback period | 4.3 mo | 2.1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $232,000 | $241,375 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +1289% | +2799% |
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 i-Limb and qb SoftHand Research?
i-Limb is made by Touch Bionics, based in IS. qb SoftHand Research is made by qb robotics, based in IT.
When were i-Limb and qb SoftHand Research launched?
i-Limb launched in 2011. qb SoftHand Research launched in 2018.
How much does i-Limb cost compared to qb SoftHand Research?
i-Limb is listed at $18,000. qb SoftHand Research is listed at $8,625.
How do i-Limb and qb SoftHand Research compare on the Robo Score?
i-Limb scores 63.4 on the Robo Score. qb SoftHand Research scores 56.8. The Robo Score is a 0–100 credibility figure blending commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are i-Limb and qb SoftHand Research in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Dexterous Hand on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between i-Limb and qb SoftHand Research?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss.
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About this comparison
i-Limb vs qb SoftHand Research compares two robots in the dexterous-hand category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Score is calculated.