Free Tool 6 questions · ~2 min

Cobot vs Industrial Robot Picker

Answer six questions about your payload, cycle-time needs, workspace, and budget. The tool scores your answers and recommends whether a collaborative or traditional industrial robot is the better fit -- or whether either can work with the right setup.

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Payload

What is the maximum payload your application requires?

Include the tool (end-effector) weight plus the part weight at its heaviest.

Under 5 kg Light parts: electronics, small components, lab samples 5 -- 15 kg Mid-range: machined parts, food containers, most assembly tasks 15 -- 35 kg Heavy components: engine parts, castings, large panels Over 35 kg Very heavy: pallets, large castings, automotive body panels

Cycle Time

How important is maximum throughput?

This drives whether you need peak TCP speeds or can trade speed for flexibility.

Throughput-critical Every second counts; the robot sets line rate Balanced Speed matters but occasional rerouting is acceptable Flexibility-first Mix-model or frequent changeover; speed is secondary

Human Proximity

How close will people work to the robot?

This determines which ISO 10218-1 / ISO/TS 15066 operating modes apply.

Shared workspace with people Operators hand-feed parts or inspect parts next to the moving robot Fenced cell Full safety fencing; people only enter when robot is stopped Occasional human entry Operator enters during changeover or jam-clearing; not during normal cycles

Application

What is the primary application?

Pick the one that best describes the main robot task.

Assembly Joining parts, screwdriving, press-fitting Pick and place Moving parts from one location to another Machine tending Loading / unloading CNC, injection moulding, press Welding MIG, TIG, laser, or spot welding Palletizing / depalletizing Stacking or unstacking heavy boxes or trays Inspection / measurement Vision, gauging, scanning, quality checks

Budget

What is your approximate robot + integration budget?

Integration (tooling, programming, safety) typically runs 1x -- 3x the robot price.

Entry (< $80 k total) Tight budget; self-integration likely Mid ($80 k -- $200 k total) Room for a system integrator and moderate tooling High (> $200 k total) Full safety infrastructure, integration team, and spares budget

Safety Infrastructure

Are you willing to install safety fencing if needed?

Fencing unlocks full industrial robot speed and eliminates collaborative-mode speed limits.

Yes We can fence the cell; floor space and budget allow it No Open floor plan, lean shop, or regulatory restriction prevents fencing Unsure We have not done the site assessment yet

Frequently asked questions

How does the cobot vs industrial picker work?+

You answer 6 questions covering payload, cycle time, human co-presence, and budget. The tool scores each answer and recommends collaborative, industrial, or either format -- with the ISO/TS 15066 speed tradeoff built in, not glossed over.

What payload range do cobots cover?+

Most cobots in our database handle 3 to 35 kg including the gripper weight. Above 35 kg, the inertia and ISO 15066 speed limits make fenced industrial arms the correct choice in almost every case.

Do I need a safety fence with a collaborative robot?+

Not always. Under ISO/TS 15066 power-and-force-limiting (PFL) mode, cobots can share a workspace without fixed guarding -- but a safety risk assessment is mandatory. The risk assessment may still conclude that guarding is required depending on speed, payload, and hazard zone.

Is a cobot slower than a traditional industrial robot?+

Yes, in shared-space mode. Cobots operating near a human under ISO 15066 limits typically deliver 20 to 40 picks per minute. An equivalent fenced industrial arm running at full TCP speed delivers 60 to 150 picks per minute on the same path.

What is the typical installed cost difference between cobots and industrial robots?+

Cobot arm list prices typically start at €15,000 to €25,000. Fenced industrial arms in the 20 to 80 kg class start at €30,000 to €60,000. But the total installed cost -- integration, guarding, end-of-arm tooling, programming -- often narrows the gap, because cobots eliminate the guarding cost.