Relay vs Zena RX
Side-by-side comparison of Relay (Relay Robotics) and Zena RX (Aethon) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Agriculture buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- RelayUnited States
- Zena RXUnited States
Year First Available
- Relay2014
- Zena RX2024
Verified Deployments
- Relay0 Deployments
- Zena RX0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Relay$26,000 USD
- Zena RXContact for quote
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Zena RX10 hrs
Availability Status
- RelayACTIVE
- Zena RXACTIVE
Physical
Compartment Type
- Relayhybrid
- Zena RX—
Navigation & Safety
Navigation Type
- Relaylidar slam,vision
- Zena RX—
Power
Battery Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Zena RX10 hrs
Charge Time
- Relay—
- Zena RX3.2 hrs
Auto Docking
- RelayYes
- Zena RX—
Integration
Elevator API
- RelayYes
- Zena RX—
Floor Compatibility
- Relayhard floor,carpet
- Zena RX—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Relay$26,000 USD
- Zena RXContact for quote
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2014 | 2024 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $26,000 USD | Contact for quote |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 16 hrs | 10 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical | ||
| Compartment Type (values differ) | hybrid | — |
| Navigation & Safety | ||
| Navigation Type (values differ) | lidar slam,vision | — |
| Power | ||
| Battery Runtime (priority for Agriculture buyers) (values differ) | 16 hrs | 10 hrs |
| Charge Time (values differ) | — | 3.2 hrs |
| Auto Docking (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Integration | ||
| Elevator API (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Floor Compatibility (values differ) | hard floor,carpet | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $26,000 USD | Contact for quote |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload, Robot Weight, Dimensions, Tray Count, Tray Capacity, IP Rating, Max Speed, Min Passable Width, Obstacle Detection Range, Min Object Detection Height, Hot-Swap Battery, PMS / POS Integration, Fleet Management, Noise Level, Display Size, RaaS / Month, Warranty
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 | Relay | Zena RX |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $26,000 | No price |
| Payback period | 6.2 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $224,000 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +862% | — |
Zena RX has 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 Relay and Zena RX?
Relay is made by Relay Robotics, based in US. Zena RX is made by Aethon, based in US.
When were Relay and Zena RX launched?
Relay launched in 2014. Zena RX launched in 2024.
How do Relay and Zena RX compare on the Robo Index?
Relay grades AA on the Robo Index. Zena RX grades BB. 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 Relay and Zena RX in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Delivery on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Relay and Zena RX?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Delivery Robot Vendor Selection: Insurance, Telemetry, and Fallback Procedures.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Delivery Robot Vendor Selection: Insurance, Telemetry, and Fallback Procedures
9 min readDelivery Robots
Last-Mile Delivery Pilots: 90 Days to a Decision
7 min readDelivery Robots
Indoor vs Outdoor Delivery: Why the Cost Gap Is Larger Than It Looks
7 min readDelivery 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
Relay vs Zena RX compares two robots in the delivery 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.