Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

Comau NJ-165 vs Yaskawa Motoman GP180

A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.

Comau1 of 5 categories
Comau NJ-165

Heavy duty robot for handling and press tending

Yaskawa3 of 5 categories
Yaskawa Motoman GP180

Heavy payload workhorse for palletizing and handling

Specification duel

Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.

165 kg
Payload
180 kg
3,000 mm
Reach
2,702 mm
±0.09 mm
Repeatability
±0.05 mm
6
Axes
6
1,240 kg
Robot mass
1,020 kg

The verdict

On paper these two are close, 165 kg against 180 kg and 3000 mm against 2702 mm of reach, near enough that the spec sheet alone will not decide it. They run different controllers, the Comau NJ-165 on the C5G and the Yaskawa Motoman GP180 on the YRC1000, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the Comau NJ-165 lists Floor and Ceiling, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP180 lists Floor.

Choose this one when

Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.

Choose the Comau NJ-165 when

  • High payload for large part transfer
  • Stiff arm holds accuracy under heavy load
  • Proven in press tending and foundry lines
  • Broad tooling compatibility

Watch for

  • Large footprint and mass need dedicated foundation work
  • Not suited to light or high speed tasks

Choose the Yaskawa Motoman GP180 when

  • Reliable heavy duty platform
  • Good reach for large pallet patterns
  • Proven in multi shift industrial use
  • Broad tooling compatibility

Watch for

  • Requires solid foundation for full rated load
  • Not suited to light, high speed work

Controller ecosystem

Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.

Comau NJ-165
Brand
Comau
Controller
C5G
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Comau NJ-165 run through Comau's C5G stack.

Yaskawa Motoman GP180
Brand
Yaskawa
Controller
YRC1000
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Yaskawa Motoman GP180 run through Yaskawa's YRC1000 stack.

These arms run different controllers (C5G vs YRC1000). If your team already programs one of them, retraining programmers and stocking a second set of spares usually costs more than a small payload or reach advantage on paper.

Mounting, footprint, and mass

How the arm can be oriented in the cell, and how much mass you have to mount.

FieldComau NJ-165Yaskawa Motoman GP180
MountingFloor and CeilingFloor
Robot mass1,240 kg1,020 kg
Protection (IP)IP65 / IP67IP67 wrist / IP54 body (main axes S,L,U)

Heavier arms want stiffer bases and more clearance around the swept volume, and they push freight and rigging costs up on the install. IP ratings only cover the section they name, so a wrist-only rating protects the wrist and nothing else; check the body rating separately before you commit the arm to a washdown or dusty cell.

Application fit

Where each arm is aimed, based on the applications listed on its robot page.

Both pages list material handling, press tending, palletizing, and machine tending.

Speed and cycle-time planning

Speed is rarely a single datasheet number across brands. Use payload, reach, and class as the planning frame, then confirm cycle time in a path study.

The Comau NJ-165 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 165 kg at 3000 mm with ±0.09 mm repeatability. The Yaskawa Motoman GP180 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 180 kg at 2702 mm with ±0.05 mm. Class changes how speed shows up in a cell: collaborative arms slow down near people and can speed up in a guarded mode, while industrial arms run at rated speed inside a fence or scanner field. Which arm cycles faster on your part depends on the path, the payload, and the safeguarding, so confirm the takt with a path study before you quote it.

Common questions

Which has more payload, the Comau NJ-165 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP180?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP180 has more payload at 180 kg versus 165 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The Comau NJ-165 has more reach at 3000 mm versus 2702 mm.
Which is more precise?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP180 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.05 mm.
Should I choose the Comau NJ-165 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP180?
Match the pick to the job. The Comau NJ-165 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 165 kg and 3000 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP180 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 180 kg and 2702 mm.
Do the Comau NJ-165 and Yaskawa Motoman GP180 use the same controller?
No. The Comau NJ-165 uses C5G and the Yaskawa Motoman GP180 uses YRC1000.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The Comau NJ-165 is rated IP65 / IP67. The Yaskawa Motoman GP180 is rated IP67 wrist / IP54 body (main axes S,L,U). Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.