Yaskawa
Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name. In 1977 it completed the MOTOMAN-L10, Japan's first fully electric industrial robot. Motoman robots are heavy-duty machines used in welding, packaging, assembly, coating, cutting and material handling, and the company has shipped hundreds of thousands of them. Its catalogue lists the MOTOMAN-GP10 and the NHC-12 and NHC-30, plus the NEX series and the SP80. Yaskawa celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2015 and its representative director and president is Hiroshi Ogasawara. Alongside robots, Yaskawa makes servo drives, motors and inverters that have been its core business since the early twentieth century.
💡Notable Achievement: The 1977 MOTOMAN-L10 was Japan's first fully electric industrial robot.
What Does Yaskawa Do?
Yaskawa is a Kitakyushu automation group whose MOTOMAN robots have been electric since 1977 and are used in welding, handling and assembly.
“A century-old motor maker turned robot leader.”
MOTOMAN
Japan's first fully electric industrial robot in 1977.
Cumulative Scale
500,000 MOTOMAN units shipped.
Drive Core
Servo drives and motors underpin the range.
What Can Yaskawa Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Industrial robots.
Industrial Handling
MOTOMAN arms for welding, handling and assembly.
Yaskawa Robots
Showing 5 of 5 total models
SP80
By: Yaskawa
Launched: 2026
The SP80 by Yaskawa is an advanced 6-axis industrial robot engineered for high-speed spot welding and precision material handling. It features a slim, streamlined arm design that minimizes interference with jigs and other robots, allowing for higher density in production lines. With an 80 kg payload capacity and a 2,236 mm reach, it is optimized for managing heavy integrated welding guns and large automotive workpieces. The robot utilizes the next-generation YRC1000 or YNX1000 controller architecture, providing significant energy savings and superior path accuracy. Its high-inertia design allows for fast acceleration and deceleration, reducing cycle times in end-of-line and assembly operations.
NEX Series
By: Yaskawa
Launched: 2024
The NEX Series from Yaskawa, part of the MOTOMAN NEXT platform, comprises AI-powered 6-axis industrial robots with payloads from 4kg to 35kg, designed for adaptive handling and assembly. Featuring high-inertia servo drives for superior motion performance and absolute accuracy, they integrate sensors like cameras and force sensors to detect, evaluate, and respond autonomously to new situations and workpiece variants. The slim, IP67-protected design minimizes installation space while supporting sensor fusion, NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX-Edge for AI processing, Linux/Docker environments, ROS2 bridges, and YNX Robot Simulator for digital twins. Ideal for intelligent automation bridging OT and IT, enabling collision-free path planning, force sensing, and 2D/3D image processing in dynamic production lines.
MOTOMAN-GP10
By: Yaskawa
Launched: 2025
The MOTOMAN-GP10 is a compact, high-precision 6-axis industrial robot with 10 kg payload and 1101 mm reach, designed for space-saving automation. It features a slim arm, full-cover structure with built-in motors and cables to minimize interference, and IP67 protection on all axes for harsh environments. High rigidity from topology analysis, optimal motors, and absolute accuracy correction enable ±0.015 mm repeatability for delicate tasks like small parts assembly and precise loading/unloading. Suitable for mounting on floor, ceiling, wall, or AGVs/AMRs, it supports high-speed motion with new servo drives, easy maintenance, and versatile applications including handling, assembly, machine tending, and inspection in limited spaces
NHC-12
By: Yaskawa
Launched: 2023
The NHC-12 is a collaborative robot (cobot) from Yaskawa's MOTOMAN NEXT platform, designed for adaptive AI-based automation. With a 12 kg payload and 1410 mm reach, it excels in handling, assembly, and inspection tasks. Equipped with high-resolution torque sensors in all axes, integrated RGB-D bodycam, and PLd Cat 3 safety certification, it supports hand-guiding and fence-less human-robot collaboration. Integrated Ethernet Cat6 and media cables enable plug-and-play tools like cameras or actuators. Its slim, low-weight design (46 kg) with IP67 protection suits tight spaces. Powered by NVIDIA-based ACU, it integrates OT and IT worlds, using ROS 2, Linux Docker for AI applications. Ideal for dynamic environments needing real-time adaptation to workpieces via vision and force sensing
NHC-30
By: Yaskawa
Launched: 2024
The Yaskawa MOTOMAN NHC-30 is a high-payload collaborative robot from the NHC-Series, part of the MOTOMAN NEXT platform for AI-driven adaptive automation. With a 30 kg payload and 1700 mm reach, it excels in heavy-duty collaborative tasks like palletizing, handling, and assembly. Integrated torque sensors in each of its 6 axes enable safe human-robot interaction via Power and Force Limiting, allowing operation without fencing. Built-in RGB-D bodycam supports vision-based applications, monitoring workspaces and reacting to changes. NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX-powered ACU runs Linux with Docker, ROS2 bridge, HALCON library for AI image processing, and collision-free path planning. Ideal for food, pharma, packaging due to food-grade grease and IP67 rating. User-friendly Smart Pendant simplifies programming; robust aluminum construction ensures durability in harsh environments.
Yaskawa Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Yaskawa Electric founded
Yaskawa Electric is founded in Japan, with its head office later in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
MOTOMAN-L10, Japan's first fully electric industrial robot
Yaskawa completes the MOTOMAN-L10, Japan's first fully electric industrial robot.
Source: yaskawa-global.com
Yaskawa celebrates its 100th anniversary
Yaskawa marks 100 years since its founding in 1915.
Source: automate.org
Yaskawa Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Yaskawa Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Century of motion-control expertise.
- ✓Very large installed base.
Core Strategic Focus
MOTOMAN and collaborative robots.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Intense competition from Fanuc and ABB.
- •Cyclical demand.
Yaskawa vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Yaskawa MOTOMAN-GP10
- Handling robot
- Fanuc P-50iB
- Painting robot
- ABB IRB 760PT
- Palletizing robot
- Kawasaki BX200L
- Welding robot
Primary Use
- Yaskawa MOTOMAN-GP10
- Small parts assembly, CNC machine tending
- Fanuc P-50iB
- Automotive and aerospace painting
- ABB IRB 760PT
- Automotive press tending, full-layer palletizing
- Kawasaki BX200L
- Not listed
Weight
- Yaskawa MOTOMAN-GP10
- 59 kg
- Fanuc P-50iB
- 356 kg
- ABB IRB 760PT
- 2310 kg
- Kawasaki BX200L
- 930 kg
Release Year
- Yaskawa MOTOMAN-GP10
- 2025
- Fanuc P-50iB
- 2010
- ABB IRB 760PT
- 2020
- Kawasaki BX200L
- 2011
| Strategic Dimension | Yaskawa MOTOMAN-GP10 | Fanuc P-50iB | ABB IRB 760PT | Kawasaki BX200L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Handling robot | Painting robot | Palletizing robot | Welding robot |
| Primary Use | Small parts assembly, CNC machine tending | Automotive and aerospace painting | Automotive press tending, full-layer palletizing | Not listed |
| Weight | 59 kg | 356 kg | 2310 kg | 930 kg |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2010 | 2020 | 2011 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Yaskawa Headquarters
HQKitakyushu, Japan
Articles & Industry News
Showing 5 recent articles and news updates about Yaskawa
Yaskawa SP80 Powers Dense Spot Welding Cells March 2026
News about SP80
Yaskawa Motoman NEXT Deploys AI Adaptive Robots at MODEX 2026
News about NEX Series
MOTOMAN-GP10 Delivers 10kg Payload, 1101mm Reach July 2025
News about MOTOMAN-GP10
NHC12 Cobot Masters Collision-Free Paths with Bodycam Vision
News about NHC-12
NHC-30 Redefines Heavy-Duty Collaboration with NVIDIA-Powered Adaptive Intelligence
News about NHC-30
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Yaskawa
What is Yaskawa?
Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 in Kitakyushu that makes servo drives, motors and MOTOMAN industrial robots.
What was the MOTOMAN-L10?
The MOTOMAN-L10, completed in 1977, was Japan's first fully electric industrial robot and began Yaskawa's Motoman robot line. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
What are Motoman robots used for?
Motoman robots are heavy-duty industrial robots used in welding, packaging, assembly, coating, cutting, material handling and general automation. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
Who leads Yaskawa?
Hiroshi Ogasawara is representative director and president of Yaskawa Electric, according to search results on its leadership. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
When was Yaskawa founded?
Yaskawa was founded in 1915 and celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2015. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
What Yaskawa robots are in the catalogue?
The catalogue lists the MOTOMAN-GP10, NHC-12 and NHC-30 robots, plus the NEX series and the SP80. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
How many Motoman robots has Yaskawa shipped?
Yaskawa announced that cumulative shipments of MOTOMAN industrial robots reached 500,000 units. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
Where is Yaskawa based?
Yaskawa Electric has its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Yaskawa Electric is a Japanese automation company founded in 1915 with its head office in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and one of the world's largest makers of industrial robots under the MOTOMAN name.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Yaskawa datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.