Head to head
KUKA KR 70 R2100 vs Yaskawa Motoman GP88
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Compact heavy payload robot for demanding handling jobs
Heavier duty robot for demanding handling tasks
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The specs separate them here: the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 carries more, 88 kg to the KUKA KR 70 R2100's 70 kg. If precision drives the job, the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 holds the tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm. They run different controllers, the KUKA KR 70 R2100 on the KR C4 and the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 on the YRC1000, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the KUKA KR 70 R2100 lists Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Inclined, and the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 lists Floor, Wall, Ceiling, and Tilt.
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 70 R2100 when
- High payload in a compact envelope
- Strong wrist torque for asymmetric loads
- Robust design for continuous multi shift use
- Good match for press tending
Watch for
- Floor mount only limits cell layout options
- Significant mass requires foundation planning
Choose the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 when
- Strong payload margin for multi part grippers
- Solid reach for servicing wide cells
- IP67 wrist standard; optional higher body protection on applicable versions
- Good repeatability for its payload class
Watch for
- Large mass and footprint; confirm floor, wall, ceiling, or tilt mounting against the cell layout
- Larger footprint than lighter GP models
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 70 R2100 run through KUKA's KR C4 stack.
- Brand
- Yaskawa
- Controller
- YRC1000
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 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 70 R2100 | Yaskawa Motoman GP88 |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor, Ceiling, Wall, and Inclined | Floor, Wall, Ceiling, and Tilt |
| Robot mass | 536 kg | 630 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP65 body / IP67 in-line wrist | IP67 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, machine tending, press tending, and palletizing.
KUKA KR 70 R2100 covers
Yaskawa Motoman GP88 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 70 R2100 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 70 kg at 2101 mm with ±0.05 mm repeatability. The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 88 kg at 2236 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 KUKA KR 70 R2100 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP88?
- The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 has more payload at 88 kg versus 70 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 has more reach at 2236 mm versus 2101 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 holds tighter repeatability at ±0.03 mm.
- Should I choose the KUKA KR 70 R2100 or the Yaskawa Motoman GP88?
- Match the pick to the job. The KUKA KR 70 R2100 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 70 kg and 2101 mm. The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 is a 6-axis industrial arm at 88 kg and 2236 mm.
- Do the KUKA KR 70 R2100 and Yaskawa Motoman GP88 use the same controller?
- No. The KUKA KR 70 R2100 uses KR C4 and the Yaskawa Motoman GP88 uses YRC1000.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The KUKA KR 70 R2100 is rated IP65 body / IP67 in-line wrist. The Yaskawa Motoman GP88 is rated IP67 wrist / IP54 body. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.