Kobian vs Optimus
Side-by-side comparison of Kobian (Waseda University) and Optimus (Tesla) — specs, pricing, Robolist Product Score, 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
- KobianJapan
- OptimusUnited States
Year First Available
- Kobian2007
- Optimus2022
Verified Deployments
- Kobian0 Deployments
- Optimus0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- KobianContact for quote
- Optimus$25,000
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Kobian0.3 hrs
- Optimus8 hrs
Availability Status
- KobianACTIVE
- OptimusACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Weight
- Kobian62 kg
- Optimus25.4 kg
Height
- Kobian140 mm
- Optimus173 mm
Mobility Type
- Kobianbipedal
- Optimusbipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Kobianfull bipedal
- Optimusfull bipedal
Walking Speed
- Kobian0.5 m/s
- Optimus2.2 m/s
Running Capable
- Kobian—
- Optimusrun capable
Stair Climbing
- KobianNo
- Optimus—
Terrain
- Kobianflat indoor
- Optimusflat indoor, uneven outdoor
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Kobian—
- Optimus9 kg
Payload (Peak)
- Kobian—
- Optimus68 kg
Total DOF
- Kobian65
- Optimus75
Arm DOF
- Kobian7
- Optimus28
Hand DOF
- Kobian4
- Optimus22
Bimanual Coordination
- KobianYes
- Optimusfull bimanual
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- KobianQNX real-time OS
- OptimusTesla AI5 chip
Compute Platform
- Kobian—
- OptimusTesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer
VLM Capable
- KobianNo
- Optimus—
Foundation Models
- Kobianfalse
- Optimus—
Imitation Learning
- KobianNo
- Optimus—
Programming
- Kobiancustom control and behavior software
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Kobian0.3 hrs
- Optimus8 hrs
Battery Capacity
- Kobian—
- Optimus2.3 kWh
Battery Swap
- KobianNo
- Optimus—
Software
SDK Languages
- KobianQNX
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
ROS Support
- KobianNo
- Optimusros2 vendor
Open API
- KobianNo
- OptimusYes
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- Kobianresearch
- Optimusprototype
IP Rating
- Kobian—
- OptimusIP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT
Commercial
Price (USD)
- KobianContact for quote
- Optimus$25,000
Price Tier
- Kobian—
- Optimus20-40K
Pricing Model
- Kobian—
- Optimuscapex
Delivery Lead Time
- Kobian—
- Optimus2 mo
Applications
- Kobianemotion expression, culture-specific greetings, human-like speech simulation, robot comedian
- Optimuslogistics, healthcare, domestic use
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Japan | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2007 | 2022 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $25,000 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 0.3 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Weight (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 62 kg | 25.4 kg |
| Height (values differ) | 140 mm | 173 mm |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype | full bipedal | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 0.5 m/s | 2.2 m/s |
| Running Capable (values differ) | — | run capable |
| Stair Climbing (values differ) | No | — |
| Terrain (values differ) | flat indoor | flat indoor, uneven outdoor |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | — | 9 kg |
| Payload (Peak) (values differ) | — | 68 kg |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 65 | 75 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | 7 | 28 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 4 | 22 |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | Yes | full bimanual |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | QNX real-time OS | Tesla AI5 chip |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | — | Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer |
| VLM Capable (values differ) | No | — |
| Foundation Models (values differ) | false | — |
| Imitation Learning (values differ) | No | — |
| Programming (values differ) | custom control and behavior software | code_python, proprietary_app |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 0.3 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | — | 2.3 kWh |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | No | — |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | QNX | code_python, proprietary_app |
| ROS Support (values differ) | No | ros2 vendor |
| Open API (values differ) | No | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | research | prototype |
| IP Rating (values differ) | — | IP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | Contact for quote | $25,000 |
| Price Tier (values differ) | — | 20-40K |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | — | capex |
| Delivery Lead Time (values differ) | — | 2 mo |
| Applications (values differ) | emotion expression, culture-specific greetings, human-like speech simulation, robot comedian | logistics, healthcare, domestic use |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Arm Reach, Grip Strength, Manipulation Repeatability, Tool Use, Teleoperation, Charging Time, Charging Method, Avg Power Consumption, Force-Limited Arms, Fall Recovery, Fall Detection Response, Emergency Stops, Human Detection Method, Safe Speed Near Humans, Simulation Platforms, Air-Gap Capable, MTBF, Task Success Rate, Noise Level, RaaS / Month, Developer Unit Price, Warranty, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Kobian and Optimus?
Kobian is made by Waseda University, based in JP. Optimus is made by Tesla, based in US.
When were Kobian and Optimus launched?
Kobian launched in 2007. Optimus launched in 2022.
How do Kobian and Optimus compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Kobian scores 38/100. Optimus scores 69/100. The Product Score blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Kobian and Optimus 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 Kobian and Optimus?
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
About this comparison
Kobian vs Optimus 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 Product Score is calculated.