Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

FANUC M-710iC/50 vs Yaskawa Motoman GP50

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-710iC/50

Mid-size workhorse for handling and welding lines

Yaskawa1 of 5 categories
Yaskawa Motoman GP50

Versatile 50 kg robot for handling and packaging

Specification duel

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

50 kg
Payload
50 kg
2,050 mm
Reach
2,061 mm
±0.03 mm
Repeatability
±0.03 mm
6
Axes
6
560 kg
Robot mass
570 kg
2008
Introducedreference
Not confirmed

The verdict

On paper these two are close, both carry 50 kg and 2050 mm against 2061 mm of reach, near enough that the spec sheet alone will not decide it. They run different controllers, the FANUC M-710iC/50 on the R-30iB Plus and the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 on the YRC1000, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the FANUC M-710iC/50 lists Floor, Ceiling, and Angle, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 lists Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Tilt. Both are aimed at material handling and machine tending, with the FANUC M-710iC/50 stretching to arc welding and assembly and the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 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-710iC/50 when

  • Wide work envelope for its class
  • Slim wrist clears tight fixtures
  • Shares spares with M-710iC family
  • Proven uptime in high-volume lines

Watch for

  • Payload ceiling limits it on heavier tooling
  • Floor mount needs a reinforced pad at full speed

Choose the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 when

  • Good payload to reach balance
  • Fast cycle times for its class
  • Reliable in continuous packaging lines
  • Ceiling mount option available

Watch for

  • Not intended for the heaviest palletizing loads
  • Larger footprint than compact GP models

Controller ecosystem

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

FANUC M-710iC/50
Brand
FANUC
Controller
R-30iB Plus
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the FANUC M-710iC/50 run through FANUC's R-30iB Plus stack.

Yaskawa Motoman GP50
Brand
Yaskawa
Controller
YRC1000
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 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-710iC/50Yaskawa Motoman GP50
MountingFloor, Ceiling, and AngleFloor, Ceiling, Wall, and Tilt
Robot mass560 kg570 kg
Protection (IP)IP54 body (opt. IP67) / IP67 wrist & J3IP67 wrist / IP54 body

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-710iC/50 also covers

Yaskawa Motoman GP50 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-710iC/50 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 50 kg at 2050 mm with ±0.03 mm repeatability. The Yaskawa Motoman GP50 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 50 kg at 2061 mm with ±0.03 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-710iC/50 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP50?
The FANUC M-710iC/50 and Yaskawa Motoman GP50 match at 50 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP50 has more reach at 2061 mm versus 2050 mm.
Which is more precise?
Both are rated at ±0.03 mm repeatability.
Should I choose the FANUC M-710iC/50 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP50?
Match the pick to the job. The FANUC M-710iC/50 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 50 kg and 2050 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP50 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 50 kg and 2061 mm.
Do the FANUC M-710iC/50 and Yaskawa Motoman GP50 use the same controller?
No. The FANUC M-710iC/50 uses R-30iB Plus and the Yaskawa Motoman GP50 uses YRC1000.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The FANUC M-710iC/50 is rated IP54 body (opt. IP67) / IP67 wrist & J3. The Yaskawa Motoman GP50 is rated IP67 wrist / IP54 body. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.