Relay vs Zip
Side-by-side comparison of Relay (Relay Robotics) and Zip (Zipline) — 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
- RelayUnited States
- ZipUnited States
Year First Available
- Relay2014
- Zip2023
Verified Deployments
- Relay0 Deployments
- Zip0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Relay$26,000 USD
- ZipContact for quote
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Zip—
Availability Status
- RelayACTIVE
- ZipACTIVE
Physical
Payload
- Relay—
- Zip158.8 kg
Compartment Type
- Relayhybrid
- Zip—
Navigation & Safety
Navigation Type
- Relaylidar slam,vision
- Zipgps,hybrid
Max Speed
- Relay—
- Zip26.8 m/s
Power
Battery Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Zip—
Auto Docking
- RelayYes
- ZipYes
Integration
Elevator API
- RelayYes
- Zip—
Fleet Management
- Relay—
- Zipcentralized cloud
Floor Compatibility
- Relayhard floor,carpet
- Zip—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Relay$26,000 USD
- ZipContact for quote
Warranty
- Relay—
- Zip10 yrs
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2014 | 2023 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $26,000 USD | Contact for quote |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 16 hrs | — |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical | ||
| Payload (priority for Manufacturing buyers) (values differ) | — | 158.8 kg |
| Compartment Type (values differ) | hybrid | — |
| Navigation & Safety | ||
| Navigation Type (values differ) | lidar slam,vision | gps,hybrid |
| Max Speed (values differ) | — | 26.8 m/s |
| Power | ||
| Battery Runtime (values differ) | 16 hrs | — |
| Auto Docking | Yes | Yes |
| Integration | ||
| Elevator API (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Fleet Management (values differ) | — | centralized cloud |
| Floor Compatibility (values differ) | hard floor,carpet | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $26,000 USD | Contact for quote |
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 10 yrs |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Robot Weight, Dimensions, Tray Count, Tray Capacity, IP Rating, Min Passable Width, Obstacle Detection Range, Min Object Detection Height, Charge Time, Hot-Swap Battery, PMS / POS Integration, Noise Level, Display Size, RaaS / Month
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 | Zip |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $26,000 | No price |
| Payback period | 6.2 mo | — |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $224,000 | — |
| ROI (5 yr) | +862% | — |
Zip 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 Zip?
Relay is made by Relay Robotics, based in US. Zip is made by Zipline, based in US.
When were Relay and Zip launched?
Relay launched in 2014. Zip launched in 2023.
How do Relay and Zip compare on the Robo Index?
Relay grades AA on the Robo Index. Zip 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 Relay and Zip 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 Zip?
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 Zip 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.