Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

FANUC M-20iD/25 vs Yaskawa Motoman GP25

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

FANUC1 of 5 categories
FANUC M-20iD/25

High-rigidity 25 kg arm for handling and welding.

Yaskawa0 of 5 categories
Yaskawa Motoman GP25

Mid payload robot for handling and machine tending

Specification duel

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

25 kg
Payload
25 kg
1,831 mm
Reach
1,730 mm
±0.02 mm
Repeatability
±0.02 mm
6
Axes
6
250 kg
Robot mass
250 kg
2019
Introducedreference
2017

The verdict

On paper these two are close, both carry 25 kg and 1831 mm against 1730 mm of reach, near enough that the spec sheet alone will not decide it. They run different controllers, the FANUC M-20iD/25 on the R-30iB Plus and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 on the YRC1000, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the FANUC M-20iD/25 lists Floor, Angle, and Inverted, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 lists Floor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling. Both are aimed at material handling and machine tending, with the FANUC M-20iD/25 stretching to arc welding and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 to packaging and palletizing.

Choose this one when

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

Choose the FANUC M-20iD/25 when

  • Long reach for its payload
  • Popular welding platform

Watch for

  • Heavier base needs a solid mount

Choose the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 when

  • Strong speed to payload ratio
  • Reliable in multi shift CNC tending
  • Compact base footprint
  • Washdown rated for light coolant exposure

Watch for

  • Mid payload limits use with heavy fixtures
  • Reach is moderate compared to dedicated palletizers

Controller ecosystem

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

FANUC M-20iD/25
Brand
FANUC
Controller
R-30iB Plus
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC M-20iD/25 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.

Yaskawa Motoman GP25
Brand
Yaskawa
Controller
YRC1000
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 run through Yaskawa's YRC1000 stack.

These arms run different controllers (R-30iB Plus 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.

FieldFANUC M-20iD/25Yaskawa Motoman GP25
MountingFloor, Angle, and InvertedFloor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling
Robot mass250 kg250 kg
Protection (IP)IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 body (IP65 optional)IP67 wrist / IP54 body (IP65 body XP option)

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 and machine tending, with the differences below.

FANUC M-20iD/25 also covers

Yaskawa Motoman GP25 also covers

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 FANUC M-20iD/25 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 25 kg at 1831 mm with ±0.02 mm repeatability. The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 25 kg at 1730 mm with ±0.02 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 FANUC M-20iD/25 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP25?
The FANUC M-20iD/25 and Yaskawa Motoman GP25 match at 25 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The FANUC M-20iD/25 has more reach at 1831 mm versus 1730 mm.
Which is more precise?
Both are rated at ±0.02 mm repeatability.
Should I choose the FANUC M-20iD/25 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP25?
Match the pick to the job. The FANUC M-20iD/25 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 25 kg and 1831 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 25 kg and 1730 mm.
Do the FANUC M-20iD/25 and Yaskawa Motoman GP25 use the same controller?
No. The FANUC M-20iD/25 uses R-30iB Plus and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 uses YRC1000.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The FANUC M-20iD/25 is rated IP67 wrist & J3 arm / IP54 body (IP65 optional). The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 is rated IP67 wrist / IP54 body (IP65 body XP option). Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.