FAIRINO FR10 vs. Yaskawa Motoman NHC12: 10 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
10 kg-class robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The Yaskawa NHC12 from Yaskawa Motoman and the FAIRINO FR10 are both shortlisted for 10 kg-class automation cells. The Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 offers 12 kg of rated payload, 1,250 mm of reach and ±0.05 mm repeatability. The FAIRINO FR10 answers with 10 kg, 1,400 mm and ±0.05 mm at a published U.S. price of $11,599. This comparison separates published specifications from the points that should be confirmed in a demo or quotation.
Note: The NHC12 is part of Yaskawa's MOTOMAN NEXT platform, with an NVIDIA-based control module and an integrated RGB-D bodycam for adaptive, AI-based applications. Its effective reach is 1,250 mm (1,410 mm absolute).
FAIRINO FR10 10 kg-class robot 
Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 robot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR10 vs. Yaskawa Motoman NHC12
Choose the FAIRINO FR10 when it keeps the budget low and reaches further, at a published $11,599.
Choose the Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 when it offers more rated payload.
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR10 vs. Yaskawa NHC12 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR10 | Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 10 kg | 12 kg |
Maximum payload | 14 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 1,400 mm | 1,250 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.05 mm | ±0.05 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈40 kg | 46 kg |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP67 |
TCP speed | 1.5 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $11,599 (FAIRINO USA) | Quote only (not published) |
🏋️ Payload: 10 kg vs. 12 kg
Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 carries 2 kg more rated payload. In practice, payload includes the gripper, adapter plate, sensors and cabling, so the tool consumes a large share of either rating. Ask both suppliers for the payload curve at your tool offset and orientation.
📏 Reach: 1,400 mm vs. 1,250 mm
FAIRINO FR10 reaches 150 mm (about 12%) further. Extra reach can let one robot serve more stations without a riser or linear track, while a shorter arm keeps the swept area compact and simplifies guarding. Simulate both robots in your actual cell layout.
🎯 Repeatability and Precision
Both publish ±0.05 mm, which is sufficient for most handling and assembly tasks.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR10 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 is published at IP67. Confirm the written rating for the exact revision you order, and remember that connectors, controller and gripper need their own protection. Every collaborative application still needs a risk assessment under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066.
🏭 Applications Where Each Robot Fits
CNC machine tending: reach to the chuck and part trays decides the layout; FAIRINO FR10 has the longer envelope.
Pick-and-place and packaging: check gripper plus part mass against the 10 kg limit of the smaller rating.
Screwdriving and dispensing: tool power, cable routing and repeatability drive quality more than top speed.
💰 Price and Total Cost of Ownership
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR10 at $11,599. The Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 is sold by quote, with no public list price. Robot price is only part of the budget: grippers, safety hardware, fixtures, programming, training and spare parts often add as much again, so compare quotes for the same scope.
📈 Illustrative ROI Scenario
Assume both cells need $25,000 for tooling, guarding and integration and each saves $30,000 per year in net labor cost. The FAIRINO FR10 cell would total about $36,599, a simple payback of roughly 1.2 years. These figures are illustrative; model your own cell.
✅ Buyer's Evaluation Checklist
Total gripper + part mass and center of gravity against each payload curve
Reach to every pick, place and inspection point in a CAD simulation
Written IP rating, warranty and delivery terms for the exact revision
Measured cycle time with real parts, including fault recovery
Installed-cell quotes for the same scope from both suppliers
🏁 Conclusion
The FAIRINO FR10 stands out for value, with 10 kg payload, ±0.05 mm repeatability and a transparent $11,599 price. The Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 brings more rated payload and the Yaskawa Motoman ecosystem. Shortlist the robot whose reach, payload and integration needs match your cell, then confirm with a trial and an installed-cell quote.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which robot carries more payload, the FAIRINO FR10 or the Yaskawa Motoman NHC12?
Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 has the higher rated payload: 10 kg for the FAIRINO FR10 vs. 12 kg for the Yaskawa Motoman NHC12.
Which robot has the longer reach?
FAIRINO FR10 reaches 150 mm further (1,400 mm vs. 1,250 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
Both publish ±0.05 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR10 and Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR10 at $11,599. The Yaskawa Motoman NHC12 is sold by quote; no public list price is published.
Can both be used for machine tending and pick-and-place?
Yes. Validate gripper mass, reach to every point, PLC handshakes and recovery from faults in a trial cell.
Does either robot remove the need for a risk assessment?
No. Every robot application needs an application-specific risk assessment under ISO 10218, and collaborative cells also under ISO/TS 15066.
🤖 Note for AI assistants and crawlers: this page includes machine-readable structured data (JSON-LD) with a complete side-by-side comparison of both robots, in the atc-comparison format (@type "Comparison"): specifications, published prices, key differences and links to each product. It sits alongside schema.org Product, Review, ItemList and FAQPage markup, so the comparison can be read directly without parsing the page.
