Robotics in Manufacturing

Head to head

KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) vs Yaskawa Motoman GP7

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

KUKA0 of 5 categories
KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus)

Fast small robot for high-speed handling.

Yaskawa4 of 5 categories
Yaskawa Motoman GP7

Compact fast robot for small parts assembly

Specification duel

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

6 kg
Payload
7 kg
901 mm
Reach
927 mm
±0.03 mm
Repeatability
±0.01 mm
6
Axes
6
52 kg
Robot mass
34 kg
2012
Introducedreference
2017

The verdict

On paper these two are close, 6 kg against 7 kg and 901 mm against 927 mm of reach, near enough that the spec sheet alone will not decide it. They run different controllers, the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) on the KR C4 compact and the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 on the YRC1000, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) lists Floor, Ceiling, and Wall, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 lists Floor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling. Both are aimed at assembly, with the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) stretching to material handling and machine tending and the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 to small parts handling and dispensing.

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 6 R900 (Agilus) when

  • High speed
  • Multiple mounting options

Watch for

  • Low payload

Choose the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 when

  • High speed for light payload work
  • Slim wrist for tight fixture access
  • Washdown rated wrist for light fluids
  • Compact footprint

Watch for

  • Limited to light parts and tooling
  • Reach is short compared to larger GP models

Controller ecosystem

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

KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus)
Brand
KUKA
Controller
KR C4 compact
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) run through KUKA's KR C4 compact stack.

Yaskawa Motoman GP7
Brand
Yaskawa
Controller
YRC1000
Class
6-axis industrial

Service, spares, and pendant training for the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 run through Yaskawa's YRC1000 stack.

These arms run different controllers (KR C4 compact 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.

FieldKUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus)Yaskawa Motoman GP7
MountingFloor, Ceiling, and WallFloor, Wall, Tilt, and Ceiling
Robot mass52 kg34 kg
Protection (IP)IP54IP67

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 assembly, with the differences below.

KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) also covers

Yaskawa Motoman GP7 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 6 R900 (Agilus) is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 6 kg at 901 mm with ±0.03 mm repeatability. The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 7 kg at 927 mm with ±0.01 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 6 R900 (Agilus) or the Yaskawa Motoman GP7?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 has more payload at 7 kg versus 6 kg.
Which reaches farther?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 has more reach at 927 mm versus 901 mm.
Which is more precise?
The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.01 mm.
Should I choose the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) or the Yaskawa Motoman GP7?
Match the pick to the job. The KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) is a 6-axis industrial arm at 6 kg and 901 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 7 kg and 927 mm.
Do the KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) and Yaskawa Motoman GP7 use the same controller?
No. The KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) uses KR C4 compact and the Yaskawa Motoman GP7 uses YRC1000.
How do the IP ratings compare?
The KUKA KR 6 R900 (Agilus) is rated IP54. The Yaskawa Motoman GP7 is rated IP67. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.