{"id":11348,"date":"2026-03-05T02:31:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/?p=11348"},"modified":"2026-03-05T02:31:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:31:04","slug":"key-characteristics-define-modern-industrial-robots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/key-characteristics-define-modern-industrial-robots\/","title":{"rendered":"Robot Characteristics: 10 Key Characteristics that Define Modern Industrial Robots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What defines a &#8220;robot&#8221; as we enter the second quarter of this century? Let&#8217;s look at the key characteristics that define modern industrial robots to help when you are comparing options for your automation project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Robots have changed quite a lot over the past 70 years. Since the first industrial robots entered the automotive industry, the technology has grown gradually. With the growth of AI, the definition of a robot keeps changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the core characteristics of an industrial robot have remained pretty stable since the very beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the 10 key characteristics you need to know when you&#8217;re comparing robot models:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-degrees-of-freedom-dof-\">1. Degrees of Freedom (DoF)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Degrees of Freedom (DoF) is probably the most fundamental of all robot characteristics. It refers to how many independent axes the robot mechanism can move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A standard 6 DoF robotic manipulator can independently move the position of its end effector in 6 dimensions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3 translations (X, Y, and Z)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 rotations, one around each of the X, Y, and Z axes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While 6 DoF arms are common, some robots (like <a href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/what-is-a-scara-robot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SCARA<\/a> robots) have fewer. Some robots (termed &#8220;redundant robots&#8221;) have extra DoF which helps avoid obstacles or <a href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/robot-singularities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">robot singularities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shoulder-Singularity-1024x577.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shoulder-Singularity-1024x577.gif 1024w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shoulder-Singularity-300x169.gif 300w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Shoulder-Singularity-768x433.gif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-payload-capacity\">2. Payload Capacity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A robot&#8217;s payload is the maximum weight it can carry, including any tools and end effectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are designing a new robotic application, payload is a good starting point for comparing different models. Manufacturers always list a robot&#8217;s payload, so it is an easy way to quickly reduce the number of potential<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/guide-create-tool-in-robodk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our robot comparator tool<\/a> to see all robot models with the same payload capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-repeatability-and-accuracy\">3. Repeatability and Accuracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When comparing robot models, repeatability and accuracy should be top of your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These terms mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Repeatability<\/strong> is how closely a robotic mechanism can return to the same position again and again. It is very common for robot manufacturers to list the repeatability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accuracy<\/strong> is how closely the robot gets to the correct position. Manufacturers don&#8217;t usually list a robot&#8217;s accuracy because varies depending on calibration or programming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can improve your robot&#8217;s accuracy by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/easily-calibrate-your-robot\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">properly calibrating your robot<\/a> during programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-reach-and-workspace\">4. Reach and Workspace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reach is the measure of how far a robot can extend from its base. This is a common characteristic listed on robot data sheets and gives you a rough idea of your available workspace for tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A related characteristic is workspace, which shows the full volume of space a robot can cover. For example, a 6 DoF collaborative robot might have a spherical workspace, while a SCARA robot might have a cylindrical one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reachability analysis and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/robot-workspace-visualization\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">workspace visualization<\/a> are useful techniques for seeing a robot&#8217;s full workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"972\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fanuc_Kuka_Workspace.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fanuc_Kuka_Workspace.jpg 972w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fanuc_Kuka_Workspace-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fanuc_Kuka_Workspace-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-speed-and-cycle-time\">5. Speed and Cycle Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are various ways to consider the speed of a robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two common characteristics are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Joint speed \u2014<\/strong> This determines how fast each joint moves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>End effector speed \u2014<\/strong> This determines how fast the end effector can move in space along one of the robot&#8217;s DoF.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, speed isn&#8217;t just about how fast a robot can move. It&#8217;s often more helpful to think about how quickly the robot can complete a particular task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cycle time is a useful measure of how long it takes for the robot to complete a single cycle of a particular task. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/robot-cycle-time\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can measure cycle time<\/a> for your task in your robot simulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-end-effector-compatibility\">6. End Effector Compatibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A robot is only as useful as its tool. This is referred to as the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/robot-end-effector\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">end effector<\/a> and there are hundreds of possibilities including grippers, welders, paint sprayers, sensors, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to check that your robot is compatible with any end effector that you might want to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With RoboDK, you can simulate different tools quickly in the simulator and even auto-calibrate tool centers for more precise operation. Check out our <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/guide-create-tool-in-robodk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ultimate Guide to Creating a Tool in RoboDK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-mounting-options\">7. Mounting Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Industrial robots don&#8217;t have to sit on the floor or a table. Often, mounting the robot on a ceiling or wall is a better use of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For some robot models, you need to select a specific variant that is compatible with ceiling mounting. This is something you should check with the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mounting the robot <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/auxiliary-axes-offline-programming\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on an additional axis<\/a> is also a powerful way to increase the workspace of your robotic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-robot-control-and-software\">8. Robot Control and Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How you program and control a robot is just as important as the robotic hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With RoboDK&#8217;s vendor-agnostic programming software, you can quickly and easily program a huge number of robot models from many manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Offline programming and simulation <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/the-11-most-useful-robot-programming-basics\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reduces many of the historical barriers<\/a> to robot programming, no matter what robot brand you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Programming-Add-in-Dual-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Programming-Add-in-Dual-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Programming-Add-in-Dual-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Programming-Add-in-Dual-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Programming-Add-in-Dual.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-safety-and-collaboration\">9. Safety and Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/7-types-of-robots-you-should-know-about\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rise of collaborative robots (cobots)<\/a> over the last 20 years, safety has become a vital characteristic for many companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cobots are designed to operate safely around human workers. Through force sensing, ergonomic hardware design, and strict speed limits, they open up the possibility for collaborative tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Robot safety is governed by international standards like ISO 10218-1 and ISO\/TS 15066. And with tools like RoboDK, you can simulate safe zones and test programs virtually, reducing risks before putting the robot in production alongside people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-cost-and-roi\">10. Cost and ROI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past couple of decades, robot prices have dropped significantly, opening up the technology to many more people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, it&#8217;s important to work out the return on investment (ROI) for your robot system. This includes factors like total cost of ownership, installation, integration, programming cost, downtime, and training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also why simulation and planning matter. If you design your cell, test your program, and optimize motion in a simulator like RoboDK before installation, you reduce financial risk and gain a quicker ROI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-characteristics-matter-it-s-a-new-language\">Why Characteristics Matter: It&#8217;s a New Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have never used robots before, all these terms might seem like learning a new language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Robot characteristics are more than specs on a datasheet. They define what your robot can do\u2014and how well it will do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you understand key traits like DoF, repeatability, payload, and workspace, you can make sure you choose the right robot for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With RoboDK, you can <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/comprehensive-robot-directory\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explore real robot models,<\/a> simulate real-world tasks, and make smart decisions\u2014before anything hits the factory floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Which characteristic is most useful for your task? <strong>Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/robodk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/robodkinc\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/robodkinc\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/robodk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, or in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/forum\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the RoboDK Forum.<\/a>. Also, check out our extensive video collection and subscribe <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/RoboDK3D\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to the RoboDK YouTube Channel<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What defines a &#8220;robot&#8221; as we enter the second quarter of this century? 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Here are the key characteristics that define modern industrial robots\u2026\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/robodk.com\/blog\/key-characteristics-define-modern-industrial-robots\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Key Characteristics that Define Modern Industrial Robots\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What defines a &quot;robot&quot; as we enter the second quarter of this century? 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