Choose the optimal robot design so that your implementation brings maximum benefits
Learn about the Main Types of Robots and Their Key Differences
On this subpage, we present comparisons of various types of industrial robots, such as articulated robots, SCARA, Cartesian, Delta, or collaborative robots (cobots). Our goal is to help you understand the most important design differences, working range, and applications so that you can make an informed choice of technology best suited to the processes carried out in your company.
Each type of robot has its unique advantages as well as certain limitations that may have a significant impact on the performance and efficiency of future implementation. At NexaRob, we believe that only a reliable comparison of available solutions and understanding the needs of a specific enterprise allow for planning optimal automation. Therefore, in addition to a general description of each type of robot, we have prepared a comparative table in which we have compared key parameters.
By using the content on this page, you will learn, among other things:
- What are the differences between articulated robots, SCARA, Cartesian, collaborative (cobots) and Delta robots.
- Which types provide greater lifting capacity and range, and which guarantee the best precision or shortest cycle time.
- What aspects to consider when planning implementation, such as compatibility with existing lines, ease of programming, or the level of safety for employees.
Thanks to this guide, you will gain a solid knowledge base that will facilitate your discussions with suppliers and decision-making related to the robotization of processes in your plant.
Discover six popular categories of robots - from articulated to mobile.
Main Types of Robots and Their Key Features
There are many types of industrial robots available on the market, and choosing the best solution depends on the nature of your processes. Below we present six main designs, along with links to more detailed descriptions:
Multi-axis robots with high motion flexibility. Ideal for welding, assembly, and tasks requiring movement in multiple planes.
Fast and precise operations with a limited range in the vertical axis. Recommended for assembling lightweight components, pick-and-place applications, or use in the electronics industry.
A design based on movement in three mutually perpendicular linear axes. Often chosen for 3D printing, processing of lightweight materials, and simple pick-and-place operations.
High-speed parallel robots Primarily used in packaging, sorting, and the food industry for handling lightweight parts.
Designed for safe operation in close proximity to people. They are suitable for a variety of assembly applications and small production lines.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) or automated guided vehicles (AGVs) Used in logistics, warehousing, and high-throughput production lines.
Each of these designs has its strengths, so it is important to match the chosen solution to the specifics of your plant and the intended application. In the following sections, you will find more information on how different types of robots perform in specific industries and what tasks they can perform most effectively.
Six examples of industries and processes where industrial robots bring the greatest benefits.
How to Choose a Robot for Your Sector
Different branches of industry have different requirements regarding safety, hygiene or the nature of work. Below we present six example applications in various industries, along with links to dedicated sections where we discuss them in more detail:
Example tasks: Product packaging, sorting fruits and vegetables, palletizing at the end of the line.
Example tasks: Dispensing medicines, labeling ampoules, quality control in sterile conditions.
Example tasks: Welding body parts, assembling components, operating machines on production lines.
Example tasks: Soldering components, assembling PCBs, testing and quality control of electronic devices.
Example tasks: Welding heavy elements, cutting sheets, transporting loads at high temperatures.
Example tasks: Automated pallet transport, order picking, sorting of packages and loads.
Example tasks: Gentle dispensing of creams, packaging of bottles, labeling of containers.
Example tasks: Harvesting plants, sorting agricultural produce, preliminary processing of food raw materials.
Example tasks: Mixing mortars, moving heavy blocks, prefabrication of structural elements.
Example tasks: Automatic cutting of fabrics, sewing garment elements, checking patterns and dimensions.
How to use this information?
Consider which processes in your plant would benefit most from automation - whether due to high labor costs, quality requirements, or strict safety and hygiene standards. Then go to the appropriate subpage (e.g., Food Industry) to learn more about typical implementations and see what types of robots (e.g., articulated, SCARA, Cartesian) are most commonly used. This will make it easier for you to select solutions that will bring the greatest value to your company.
A simple comparison of the most important features - check which type of robot best suits your needs.
Key Parameters and Characteristics
Below is a comparative table that compares the main parameters and applications of popular designs: articulated robots, SCARA, Cartesian, Delta, collaborative (cobots) and mobile (AMR/AGV). The table will help you quickly assess the key differences and understand in which conditions a given type of robot will perform best.
Scroll the table to the side to see all columns.
| Parameter | SCARA | Articulated | Cartesian | Cobots | Delta | Mobile (AMR/AGV) | Cylindrical | Gantry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Speed, compactness | Versatility, large range of motion | Stability, high precision | Safety, easy integration | Speed with light loads | Mobility, transport automation | Stability in axial movements | Handling large loads |
| Disadvantages | Limited range of motion | Higher cost, maintenance | Large sizes | Limited speed, lower force | Limited precision with larger loads | Does not operate in harsh conditions | Lack of flexibility outside the axis | Limited speed, complicated installation |
| Typical applications | Assembly, packaging | Welding, manipulation | Cutting, machining | Working with people, precision assembly | Sorting, packaging | Internal transport, logistics | Servicing axial processes | Moving large elements |
| Cost | Medium | High | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
| Load capacity | 1-20 kg | 10-300 kg | 5-100 kg | 1-15 kg | 3-10 kg | 50-200 kg | 10-80 kg | 100-500 kg |
| Arm reach | 300-800 mm | 500-3000 mm | 500-4000 mm | 400-1000 mm | 1000-1500 mm | Not applicable | 1000-2000 mm | 3000-5000 mm |
| Cycle time | 0.3-1.0 s | 1.0-3.0 s | 2.0-5.0 s | 1.0-2.0 s | 0.3-0.7 s | Not applicable | 1.5-3.0 s | 4.0-6.0 s |
| Lifespan | 40,000-60,000 h | 50,000-70,000 h | 30,000-50,000 h | 30,000-40,000 h | 35,000-50,000 h | 40,000-70,000 h | 35,000-50,000 h | 60,000-80,000 h |
How to read the table:
- The range of motion indicates the possible axes and type of robot kinematics.
- Payload (example) provides an indicative range; however, keep in mind that these values may vary significantly depending on the model.
- Speed/Cycle time indicates how quickly a robot can perform a typical operation. The shorter the cycle time, the higher the efficiency.
- Applications are examples of typical processes in which a given type of robot is most commonly used.
Thanks to this comparison, you will more easily decide which type of robot meets your requirements regarding performance, payload, or precision level. In the following sections, we will present practical tips on when a given design is the best choice and when it is worth considering alternatives.
Learn about six key factors that influence the decision to choose a specific type of robot.
When to Choose a Specific Design and When to Consider an Alternative
Each type of robot has its strengths and weaknesses. Whether it will work in your plant depends on the specifics of the processes, expected performance, available budget, and environmental conditions. Below, we highlight six basic criteria that will help you understand the advantages and limitations of different designs:
Range of Motion and Flexibility
Articulated robots provide versatile movement in multiple planes but can be more complex to program.
SCARA and Delta offer high speed with lighter loads but have limited flexibility in vertical axis movement.
Payload and Reach.
If you are planning to move heavy objects (e.g., in the metal industry), an articulated or gantry robot may be necessary.
Delta and SCARA robots are ideal for smaller loads where short cycle times are important.
Safety and Working with People
Cobots are the best choice when a robot is intended to work directly with an employee. In traditional designs (articulated),
SCARA) often requires a safety zone, i.e., fencing or sensors.
Ease of Programming and Integration
Cartesian (XYZ) robots can be simpler to configure trajectories, which can speed up implementation in linear processes.
In articulated and mobile robots, the level of programming complexity may be higher, but they offer greater flexibility.
Purchase and Maintenance Costs
Simple designs, such as Cartesian robots, often have lower investment and operating costs.
Advanced robots, e.g., articulated robots with a large payload capacity, involve higher prices and a longer payback period, but can handle complex tasks.
Working Environment and Industry Standards
In the food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry, the robot must meet strict hygiene and safety requirements (e.g., easy-to-clean housing, resistance to substances).
In heavy industry (metal, steel), resistance to high temperatures, dust, and the ability to work in harsh conditions are important.
When to choose a specific type?
- Articulated robots - when you need flexibility of movement and a large payload.
- SCARA/Delta - when speed and short cycle time are key for light payloads.
- Cartesian - when you value simplicity and repeatability of movements in linear axes.
- Cobots - when safe collaboration with people in a single zone is required.
- Mobile (AMR/AGV) - when the goal is automated internal transport in a warehouse or production line.
Keep in mind that the ideal choice also depends on the planned applications and the industry you operate in. You can check this by visiting Industries or Robot Applications. If you have any questions, we will be happy to advise you on selecting the appropriate technologies and estimating the return on investment.
Simple tips to help you smoothly transition from concept to industrial robot deployment.
How to Match Robot Type to Infrastructure and Needs
Even the best-chosen type of robot may not deliver the expected results if the implementation planning is carried out in a chaotic manner. Below are six key guidelines that will help you effectively match the robot type to your existing infrastructure and the specifics of your company:
Thorough Process Analysis
- Investigate which stages of production or logistics require the most manual labor, generate high costs, or frequently cause errors.
- Consider whether one type of robot is sufficient or whether different designs are needed in different areas.
Adaptation to Environmental Conditions
- Check the temperature, humidity level, presence of dust or contact with chemicals.
- Make sure that the selected robot (e.g., Cartesian, articulated, SCARA) has an appropriate protection class or is resistant to aggressive environments.
Integration with Existing Systems
- Pay attention to compatibility with control systems (PLC, MES, ERP) and communication standards (e.g., OPC UA, Profinet).
- The better the robot interacts with the current infrastructure, the easier it will be to manage and monitor processes.
Development Plan and Scalability
- Consider whether you plan to expand production lines, change product range or add additional workstations in the future.
- Choose a design (e.g., an articulated robot with payload reserve) that allows for easy modernization or addition of further modules.
Safety and Work Zones
- Traditional robots often require enclosures, light curtains or other protective systems.
- If you need close human-machine collaboration, consider cobots or additional safety systems tailored to your processes.
Well-planned Logistics and Service
- Ensure there is space for potential inspections and maintenance.
- Check if the supplier provides quick access to spare parts and after-sales support - this is crucial for minimizing downtime and maintaining production continuity.
With these tips, you will plan the implementation step by step, minimizing the risk of unforeseen costs and delays. If you need individual consultation, we will be happy to help you develop a detailed automation strategy - from process analysis to robot integration with your system.
Do you have questions about choosing robots? Check what our customers are most interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often yes, especially if you choose a universal (multi-task) robot or a design with a flexible reach. However, sometimes it is worth having different robots in different areas to achieve maximum efficiency.
It depends on the scale of production, labor costs and the type of tasks. Often, ROI can be seen within 1-2 years, especially when automation significantly increases productivity.
Yes, as long as they handle an appropriate weight range and operate in conditions that meet hygiene requirements. If a very short cycle time is needed in packaging, it is also worth considering Delta robots.
Usually, gentle handling of products and fast packaging are important. Many companies choose Delta, SCARA or cobots equipped with adaptive grippers.
Collaborative robots generally have a lower load capacity and movement speed for safety reasons, but they can still significantly facilitate many assembly or packaging tasks.
Fencing, motion sensors, light curtains and emergency shutdown procedures are used. Everything depends on the risk assessment and standards (e.g., ISO 10218).
Do you have more questions?
If you want to know more answers, visit our extended FAQ section or contact our team. We will be happy to answer questions about Industries, Applications or Types of Robots, and also help in selecting optimal solutions for your requirements. Choosing the right technology is the first step towards effective automation and competitiveness in today's market.
Automate Your Business with NexaRob - Contact Us!
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We operate globally, support locally
At NexaRob, we combine global trends with local knowledge to provide reliable and accurate comparisons of robot types. Our global network of experts enables us to analyze the latest solutions from different regions, and local support ensures that each recommendation is tailored to specific market needs. This allows us to help our customers make informed investment decisions in the area of automation.
- Local expert support: We collaborate with professionals who understand local technological and regulatory conditions.
- Extensive market analysis: We monitor global trends to compare and select the best solutions for your business.
- Adaptation to market specifics: Our recommendations take into account local needs, which enables smooth technology implementations.
- Global trends and local knowledge: We combine international experience with a practical approach, providing comprehensive support at every stage of solution selection.
Together we create the future of automation.
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At NexaRob, we believe that collaboration is the foundation of innovation. If you value reliable analysis and a modern approach to automation, we invite you to partner with us. Our robot type comparisons are created in cooperation with leading manufacturers, system integrators, and technology experts, which translates into unique, practical solutions for your business.
Why is it worth cooperating with NexaRob?
- Joint innovations: Together, we develop solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the automation market.
- Expert support: We offer consulting based on global experience, supported by local knowledge and market analysis.
- Flexible forms of cooperation: Regardless of the size of your company, we will find a partnership model perfectly tailored to your needs.
- Development on an international scale: Thanks to our global network of contacts, your solutions can reach markets around the world while meeting local requirements.
Join the NexaRob partner network and together let's create the future of automation.
We invite you to contact us - together we can achieve more by creating innovative solutions that set new standards in the robotics industry.
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