The Expliner is a Security robot developed by HiBot (Japan), launched 2010, priced at $3,298 USD.
Robo Index
Strong evidence
6 of 10 signals present
Recomputed nightly from public data. Missing data is skipped, never zero-filled — and rankings are never for sale.
Weighted factors
average of the 6 scored · blanks don't count
Will it fit your job?
Tell us the job in plain words — we'll show how this robot measures up, line by line.
Tell us what your job needs — payload, budget, region, must-have certifications — and we'll show how Expliner measures up, requirement by requirement. The Robo Index (trust) above is shown for every buyer, regardless.
Overview
Expliner is a robot for inspection of high-voltage power lines up to 500 kilovolts. It features special wheels to roll along power lines and a robotic arm that acts as a counterweight for balance. The robot can inspect live wires without requiring power lines to be turned off, using arrays of CCD cameras with mirrors, HD camera, infrared camera, and various sensors to acquire 360° images and detect defects in cables.
Buyer decision signals
Viability
Most Recent Funding Deal
Price
purchase
Availability
Certifications & autonomy
Specifications
Category: Security- Payload
- 80 kg
- Speed
- 0.47 m/s
- Weight
- 4.5 kg
- Battery
- 6 h
- Autonomy
- semi-autonomous
- Launch year
- 2010
- Price
- $3,298 USD
- Status
- active
Company profile
- Funding raised
- $32.0M
- Founded
- 2004
Detailed specifications
Motion & kinematics2
- Dof
- 12
- Repeatability Mm
- 0.1
Sensors1
- Sensor Suite
- Arrays of CCD cameras with mirrors, HD camera, infrared camera, proximity sensors, gyro and accelerometer, lasers, four sets of laser sensors
Compute1
- Onboard Compute
- 10 SH-2 32-bit RISC microcontrollers, one ARM M4 board, and a 8-channel video acquisition board with solid-state drive
Safety & certifications1
- Safety Certification
- certified for up to 500kV live lines[1][7]
Other19
- Industries
- energy
- Price Tier
- 20-40K
- Applications
- visual_inspection
- Sub Category
- inspection_robot
- Max Speed M S
- 0.467
- Pricing Model
- purchase
- Company Country
- JP
- Lead Time Weeks
- 3
- Procedure Types
- high-voltage transmission line inspection
- Controller Model
- HiBot SH2Tiny,10 SH-2 32-bit RISC microcontrollers,ARM M4 board
- Deployment Notes
- Successfully tested in collaboration with Kansai Electric Power Co. for inspecting power lines in Japan.
- Youtube Video Id
- 2h6UPMcy8-o
- Compatible Vision
- CCD cameras with mirrors,HD camera,infrared camera
- Industries Served
- utilities
- Software Platform
- Embedded system
- Availability Status
- discontinued
- Countries Available
- JP
- Primary Applications
- inspection
- Additional Information
- High-torque 4WD mobility for rough terrain.,FHD pan/tilt camera with a 2.8mm lens for detailed inspections.,Pitch and roll detection sensors for safety.,Extended-range Wi-Fi connectivity for remote inspections.,Optional survey-grade laser for precise measurements.
Where to buy
Get a price or reach an authorized seller — pick your region, then request a quote.
No authorized seller is listed for this robot yet — request a quote below and we’ll connect you with HiBot or an authorized seller.
Request a quote — goes straight to HiBot.
Every authorized seller serving your region is shown equally — placement is never sold, and this data never affects a robot’s score. A seller’s absence here doesn’t mean they aren’t authorized.
Company milestones
- Dec 2025FundingMost Recent Funding Deal
- 2004MilestoneCompany Founded
- —LaunchSnake Robot Technology Development
- —MilestoneHiBot official Expliner product video published
- —MilestoneExpliner described as a high-voltage power-line inspection robot
Compare with peers
More by HiBot
Frequently asked questions
- Who makes the Expliner?
- The Expliner is developed by HiBot, based in Japan.
- What type of robot is the Expliner?
- The Expliner is a Security robot made by HiBot.
- How much does the Expliner cost?
- The Expliner is priced $3,298 USD.
- When was the Expliner launched?
- The Expliner was launched in 2010.
Reviews for Expliner
Loading reviews…
