FAIRINO FR16 vs. ABB PoWa 16: 16 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: 5 days ago
16 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The ABB PoWa 16 from ABB and the FAIRINO FR16 are both shortlisted for 16 kg-class automation cells. The ABB PoWa 16 offers 16 kg of rated payload, 1,960 mm of reach and ±0.03 mm repeatability. The FAIRINO FR16 answers with 16 kg, 1,034 mm and ±0.03 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: PoWa is ABB's high-speed cobot family launched in 2026, covering 7 to 30 kg payload classes; ABB publishes ±0.03 mm pose repeatability across the family. Reach is quoted at the wrist; flange reach is about 150 mm longer. The PoWa 16 is rated at 16 kg and handles up to 17 kg wrist-down.
FAIRINO FR16 16 kg-class cobot 
ABB PoWa 16 cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR16 vs. ABB PoWa 16
Choose the FAIRINO FR16 when it matches or exceeds the payload, at a published $11,599.
Choose the ABB PoWa 16 when it offers longer reach.
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR16 vs. ABB PoWa 16 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR16 | ABB PoWa 16 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 16 kg | 16 kg |
Maximum payload | 20 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 1,034 mm | 1,960 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.03 mm | ±0.03 mm |
Axes | 6 | 6 |
Arm weight | ≈40 kg | 63 kg |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | IP67 |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $11,599 (FAIRINO USA) | €28,680 excl. VAT (Unchained Robotics) |
🏋️ Payload: 16 kg vs. 16 kg
Both arms share the same 16 kg rating, so the decision moves to reach, precision, ecosystem and price.
📏 Reach: 1,034 mm vs. 1,960 mm
ABB PoWa 16 reaches 926 mm (about 90%) further. Extra reach can let one robot serve a machine, an infeed and an inspection station 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 ±0.03 mm, which is sufficient for most handling and assembly tasks.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR16 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option, while the ABB PoWa 16 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; ABB PoWa 16 has the longer envelope.
Pick-and-place and packaging: check gripper plus part mass against the 16 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 FR16 at $11,599. ABB does not publish an official list price for the ABB PoWa 16; Unchained Robotics lists it at €28,680 excl. VAT. Arm 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 FR16 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 FR16 stands out for value, with 16 kg payload, ±0.03 mm repeatability and a transparent $11,599 price. The ABB PoWa 16 brings longer reach and the ABB ecosystem. Shortlist the arm whose reach, payload and integration needs match your cell, then confirm with a trial and an installed-cell quote.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which cobot carries more payload, the FAIRINO FR16 or the ABB PoWa 16?
Both are rated at 16 kg.
Which robot has the longer reach?
ABB PoWa 16 reaches 926 mm further (1,034 mm vs. 1,960 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
Both publish ±0.03 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR16 and ABB PoWa 16 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR16 at $11,599. ABB does not publish an official list price for the ABB PoWa 16; Unchained Robotics lists it at €28,680 excl. VAT.
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 collaborative application needs an application-specific risk assessment under ISO 10218 and 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.
