Photon vs Zeno
Side-by-side comparison of Photon (Photon Entertainment) and Zeno (Hanson Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Home & Household buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- PhotonPoland
- ZenoHong Kong
Year First Available
- Photon2017
- Zeno2013
Verified Deployments
- Photon0 Deployments
- Zeno0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Photon$215 USD
- Zeno$14,750 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Photon8 hrs
- Zeno8 hrs
Availability Status
- PhotonACTIVE
- ZenoACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- Photon0.4 m/s
- Zeno1.5 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Photonsemi-autonomous
- Zenosemi-autonomous
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Poland | Hong Kong |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2017 | 2013 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $215 USD | $14,750 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Home & Household buyers) | 8 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.4 m/s | 1.5 m/s |
| Autonomy Level | semi-autonomous | semi-autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload Capacity, Reach, 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 | Photon | Zeno |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $215 | $14,750 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | 3.5 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,785 | $235,250 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +116179% | +1595% |
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 Photon and Zeno?
Photon is made by Photon Entertainment, based in PL. Zeno is made by Hanson Robotics, based in HK.
When were Photon and Zeno launched?
Photon launched in 2017. Zeno launched in 2013.
How much does Photon cost compared to Zeno?
Photon is listed at $215. Zeno is listed at $14,750.
How do Photon and Zeno compare on the Robo Index?
Photon grades A on the Robo Index. Zeno grades A. 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 Photon and Zeno in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Education on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Photon and Zeno?
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 Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags
10 min readEducation Robots
A 90-Day Classroom Robotics Rollout Playbook
9 min readEducation Robots
Decision Framework: Matching Robots to Grade Band and Learning Goals
10 min readEducation 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
Photon vs Zeno compares two robots in the education 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.