Nao vs Valkyrie
Side-by-side comparison of Nao (SoftBank Robotics) and Valkyrie (NASA) — 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
- NaoUnited States
- Valkyrie—
Year First Available
- Nao2008
- Valkyrie2013
Verified Deployments
- Nao0 Deployments
- Valkyrie0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Nao$32,990
- Valkyrie$2,450
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Nao1.5 hrs
- Valkyrie1 hrs
Availability Status
- NaoACTIVE
- ValkyrieACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Weight
- Nao0.5 kg
- Valkyrie136 kg
Height
- Nao5800 mm
- Valkyrie180 mm
Mobility Type
- Naobipedal
- Valkyriebipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Naofull bipedal
- Valkyriefull bipedal
Walking Speed
- Nao0.1 m/s
- Valkyrie—
Stair Climbing
- NaoNo
- Valkyrie—
Terrain
- Naoindoor
- Valkyrierough_indoor, outdoor_unstructured
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Nao0.5 kg
- Valkyrie—
Total DOF
- Nao25
- Valkyrie32
Arm DOF
- Nao—
- Valkyrie7
Hand DOF
- Nao—
- Valkyrie6
Bimanual Coordination
- NaoNo
- Valkyrie—
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- NaoATOM E3845 1.91 GHz, Quad core
- ValkyrieHigh-performance processors
Compute Platform
- Nao—
- ValkyrieIntel Core i7
VLM Capable
- NaoNo
- Valkyrie—
Foundation Models
- Naofalse
- Valkyrie—
Imitation Learning
- NaoNo
- Valkyrie—
Teleoperation
- Nao—
- Valkyrievr_headset
Programming
- Naovisual_block, code_python
- Valkyrieteleoperation
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Nao1.5 hrs
- Valkyrie1 hrs
Battery Capacity
- Nao—
- Valkyrie1.8 kWh
Charging Method
- Nao—
- Valkyrietethered
Battery Swap
- NaoNo
- ValkyrieYes
Safety
Force-Limited Arms
- Nao—
- ValkyrieYes
Software
SDK Languages
- NaoPython, C++, JavaScript
- Valkyrieteleoperation
ROS Support
- NaoNo
- Valkyrieros2 community
Open API
- NaoYes
- ValkyrieYes
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- Naoproduction pilot
- Valkyrieprototype
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Nao$32,990
- Valkyrie$2,450
Price Tier
- Nao20-40K
- Valkyrie10-20K
RaaS / Month
- Nao$647
- Valkyrie—
Pricing Model
- Naocapex, raas
- Valkyriepurchase
Warranty
- Nao1 yrs
- Valkyrie—
Applications
- Naoeducation, research
- Valkyriehazardous_env
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United States | — |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2008 | 2013 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $32,990 | $2,450 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 1.5 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Weight (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 0.5 kg | 136 kg |
| Height (values differ) | 5800 mm | 180 mm |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype | full bipedal | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 0.1 m/s | — |
| Stair Climbing (values differ) | No | — |
| Terrain (values differ) | indoor | rough_indoor, outdoor_unstructured |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 0.5 kg | — |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 25 | 32 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | — | 7 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | — | 6 |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | No | — |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | ATOM E3845 1.91 GHz, Quad core | High-performance processors |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | — | Intel Core i7 |
| VLM Capable (values differ) | No | — |
| Foundation Models (values differ) | false | — |
| Imitation Learning (values differ) | No | — |
| Teleoperation (values differ) | — | vr_headset |
| Programming (values differ) | visual_block, code_python | teleoperation |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 1.5 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | — | 1.8 kWh |
| Charging Method (values differ) | — | tethered |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | No | Yes |
| Safety | ||
| Force-Limited Arms (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | Python, C++, JavaScript | teleoperation |
| ROS Support (values differ) | No | ros2 community |
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | production pilot | prototype |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $32,990 | $2,450 |
| Price Tier (values differ) | 20-40K | 10-20K |
| RaaS / Month (values differ) | $647 | — |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | capex, raas | purchase |
| Warranty (values differ) | 1 yrs | — |
| Applications (values differ) | education, 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, Charging Time, Avg Power Consumption, Fall Recovery, Fall Detection Response, Emergency Stops, Human Detection Method, Safe Speed Near Humans, Simulation Platforms, Air-Gap Capable, MTBF, Task Success Rate, IP Rating, Noise Level, Developer Unit Price, Delivery Lead Time, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Nao and Valkyrie?
Nao is made by SoftBank Robotics, based in US. Valkyrie is made by NASA.
When were Nao and Valkyrie launched?
Nao launched in 2008. Valkyrie launched in 2013.
How much does Nao cost compared to Valkyrie?
Nao is listed at $32,990. Valkyrie is listed at $2,450.
How do Nao and Valkyrie compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Nao scores 48/100. Valkyrie scores 46/100. The Product Score blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Nao and Valkyrie 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 Nao and Valkyrie?
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
Nao vs Valkyrie 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.