Head to head
KUKA KR 16 R2010 vs Yaskawa Motoman GP25
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Long reach mid payload robot for handling and welding
Mid payload robot for handling and machine tending
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 carries more, 25 kg to the KUKA KR 16 R2010's 16 kg. If precision drives the job, the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.02 mm. They run different controllers, the KUKA KR 16 R2010 on the KR C4 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 KUKA KR 16 R2010 lists Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Angle, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 lists Floor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling. Both are aimed at material handling and machine tending, with the KUKA KR 16 R2010 stretching to arc welding and dispensing 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 KUKA KR 16 R2010 when
- Large work envelope for a mid payload robot
- Proven platform with a long service history
- Good stiffness for welding and dispensing paths
- Wide parts and support network
Watch for
- Larger footprint than compact arms in the same payload class
- Reach comes at some cost to cycle speed versus shorter arm variants
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.
- Brand
- KUKA
- Controller
- KR C4
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 16 R2010 run through KUKA's KR C4 stack.
- 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 (KR C4 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.
| Field | KUKA KR 16 R2010 | Yaskawa Motoman GP25 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Angle | Floor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling |
| Robot mass | 255 kg | 250 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP65 | 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.
KUKA KR 16 R2010 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 KUKA KR 16 R2010 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 16 kg at 2013 mm with ±0.04 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 KUKA KR 16 R2010 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP25?
- The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 has more payload at 25 kg versus 16 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The KUKA KR 16 R2010 has more reach at 2013 mm versus 1730 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.02 mm.
- Should I choose the KUKA KR 16 R2010 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP25?
- Match the pick to the job. The KUKA KR 16 R2010 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 16 kg and 2013 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 25 kg and 1730 mm.
- Do the KUKA KR 16 R2010 and Yaskawa Motoman GP25 use the same controller?
- No. The KUKA KR 16 R2010 uses KR C4 and the Yaskawa Motoman GP25 uses YRC1000.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The KUKA KR 16 R2010 is rated IP65. The Yaskawa Motoman GP25 is rated IP67 wrist / IP54 body (IP65 body XP option). Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.