Forerunner K1 vs DR02: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2025)
Kepler Robotics vs DEEP Robotics — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
Forerunner K1 leads in higher payload, longer runtime. Overall, Forerunner K1 has an edge in 2 out of 2 compared categories.
Forerunner K1
Kepler Robotics
DR02
DEEP Robotics
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Forerunner K1 DR02
Specifications
$30,000PriceContact
178 cmHeight175 cm
85 kgWeight—
40DOF—
25 kgPayload20 kg
8hRuntime7h
—Speed4 m/s
YesStairsYes
NoLiDARYes
N/ACompute275 TOPS
Task Capabilities
✓Pick up a box from shelf✓
◔Open a door handle◔
◔Pour liquid into cup✕
◔Use a power tool◔
✕Type on keyboard✕
✓Climb stairs with load✓
◔Walk on uneven terrain✓
✕Run (>3 m/s)✓
◔Crouch under obstacle◔
◔Navigate in crowd◔
✓Recognize & locate objects✓
?Respond to voice commands?
✓Detect humans nearby✓
✓Work 8-hour shift✓
?Hot-swap battery?
✓Operate 24/7 (with charging)✓
✕Work in rain (IP65+)✓
?Work below 0°C✓
?Work in dusty environment✓
◔Work safely alongside humans◔
Pros and cons at a glance
Forerunner K1
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- High rated payload (25 kg) for industrial pick-and-place
- Long runtime (8h per charge) for full-shift operation
- 40 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
DR02
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- Long runtime (7h per charge) for full-shift operation
- Ships with LiDAR for robust depth sensing in low-light environments
Cons
- Unit price not publicly disclosed (quote-on-request or enterprise-only)
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Frequently asked questions
How do Forerunner K1 and DR02 compare on price?
Forerunner K1: $30,000. DR02: Contact. Only one of the two has a public unit price; the other publishes a range or enterprise-only terms.
Which has higher payload: Forerunner K1 or DR02?
Forerunner K1 rates a higher payload at 25 kg vs 20 kg. Payload ratings are vendor claims and do not always include a duty cycle — peak vs sustained payload can differ significantly.
Are both Forerunner K1 and DR02 shipping to customers?
Yes. Both are commercially available as of the last review. Delivery timelines and customer geographies vary per vendor — check the manufacturer page for each.
Does Forerunner K1 or DR02 use LiDAR?
DR02 ships with LiDAR for depth sensing; Forerunner K1 does not. LiDAR adds cost and complexity but improves obstacle detection in low-light or low-contrast environments.
Last updated: 2025