Kirobo vs Plasticman
Side-by-side comparison of Kirobo (Toyota) and Plasticman (Monash University) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Manufacturing buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- KiroboJapan
- Plasticman—
Year First Available
- Kirobo2013
- Plasticman2018
Verified Deployments
- Kirobo0 Deployments
- Plasticman0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Kirobo2.5 hrs
- Plasticman—
Availability Status
- KiroboACTIVE
- PlasticmanACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Japan | — |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2013 | 2018 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 2.5 hrs | — |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Price, Payload Capacity, Reach, Max Speed, IP Rating, Autonomy Level
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 | Kirobo | Plasticman |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | No price | No price |
| Payback period | — | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | — | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | — | — |
Kirobo, Plasticman 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 Kirobo and Plasticman?
Kirobo is made by Toyota, based in JP. Plasticman is made by Monash University.
When were Kirobo and Plasticman launched?
Kirobo launched in 2013. Plasticman launched in 2018.
How do Kirobo and Plasticman compare on the Robo Index?
Kirobo grades AA on the Robo Index. Plasticman grades B. 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.
Are Kirobo and Plasticman in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Research on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Research robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Research TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: The real cost of a research platform.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Kirobo and Plasticman?
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 research-robot procurement RFP: questions and red flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The real cost of a research platform
7 min readResearch & Lab Robots
The research-robot procurement RFP: questions and red flags
11 min readResearch & Lab Robots
A 90-day playbook to stand up a new platform in a lab
8 min readResearch & Lab 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
Kirobo vs Plasticman compares two robots in the research 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.