FAIRINO FR16 vs. KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820: 16 kg Cobot Comparison
Updated: Nov 2
16 kg-class collaborative robot comparison • Payload, reach, precision and U.S. pricing
🤖 Overview: The LBR iiwa 14 from KUKA and the FAIRINO FR16 compete in the 16 kg-class cobot segment. The KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 offers 14 kg of rated payload, 820 mm of reach and ±0.15 mm repeatability on a seven-axis arm. 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.
FAIRINO FR16 16 kg-class cobot 
KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 cobot
⚖️ Quick Verdict: FAIRINO FR16 vs. KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820
Choose the FAIRINO FR16 when it matches or exceeds the payload and reaches further, at a published $11,599.
Choose the KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 when it brings the KUKA ecosystem plus a redundant seventh axis, from $65,000 (indicative list price).
Validate both with your real gripper, part mass and layout; installed-cell cost and measured cycle time decide ROI.
📊 FAIRINO FR16 vs. LBR iiwa 14 Specifications
Specification | FAIRINO FR16 | KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 |
|---|---|---|
Rated payload | 16 kg | 14 kg |
Maximum payload | 20 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
Reach | 1,034 mm | 820 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.03 mm | ±0.15 mm |
Axes | 6 | 7 |
Arm weight | ≈40 kg | See manufacturer datasheet |
IP rating | IP54 / IP65 optional | See manufacturer datasheet |
TCP speed | 1 m/s typical | See manufacturer datasheet |
Public price | $11,599 (FAIRINO USA) | From $65,000 (indicative list price) |
🏋️ Payload: 16 kg vs. 14 kg
FAIRINO FR16 carries 2 kg more rated payload. In practice, payload includes the gripper, adapter plate, sensors and cabling, so a 2–4 kg tool consumes a large share of either rating. Ask both suppliers for the payload curve at your tool offset and orientation.
📏 Reach: 1,034 mm vs. 820 mm
FAIRINO FR16 reaches 214 mm (about 26%) 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
FAIRINO FR16 publishes the tighter repeatability (±0.03 mm vs. ±0.15 mm). For most tending, packaging and handling work both are sufficient; for tight insertions and vision-guided placement, fixturing, TCP calibration and gripper compliance matter as much as the datasheet figure.
🦾 Six Axes vs. Seven Axes
The KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 adds a redundant seventh joint, which lets the elbow move while the tool stays fixed. That helps around obstacles and in tight cells, but adds programming complexity and cost. The six-axis FAIRINO FR16 follows the conventional cobot kinematics most integrators and offline-programming tools already support.
🛡️ Environment and Safety
The FAIRINO FR16 is offered with IP54 protection and an IP65 option. 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 FR16 has the longer envelope.
Pick-and-place and packaging: check gripper plus part mass against the 14 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. The KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 is listed from $65,000 (indicative list price), so the published arm prices differ by about $53,401 (roughly 82% less for the FAIRINO). 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. The KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 cell would total about $90,000, or roughly 3.0 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 KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 brings seven-axis flexibility, and the KUKA ecosystem at a higher published price. 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 KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820?
FAIRINO FR16 has the higher rated payload: 16 kg for the FAIRINO FR16 vs. 14 kg for the KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820.
Which robot has the longer reach?
FAIRINO FR16 reaches 214 mm further (1,034 mm vs. 820 mm).
Which robot is more repeatable?
FAIRINO FR16 publishes the tighter repeatability: ±0.03 mm vs. ±0.15 mm.
How much do the FAIRINO FR16 and KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 cost?
FAIRINO USA lists the FAIRINO FR16 at $11,599. The KUKA LBR iiwa 14 R820 is listed from $65,000 (indicative list price).
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.
