Forerunner K1 vs ASIMO: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2024)
Kepler Robotics vs Honda — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
Forerunner K1 leads in higher payload, longer runtime, while ASIMO leads in more DOF. Overall, Forerunner K1 has an edge in 2 out of 3 compared categories.
Forerunner K1
Kepler Robotics
ASIMO
Honda
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Forerunner K1 ASIMO
Specifications
$30,000PriceNever sold commercially
178 cmHeight130 cm
85 kgWeight48 kg
40DOF57
25 kgPayload1 kg
8hRuntime1h
—Speed2.5 m/s
YesStairsYes
NoLiDARNo
N/AComputeProprietary Honda embedded systems
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
ASIMO
Pros
- 57 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Discontinued by the manufacturer
- Unit price not publicly disclosed (quote-on-request or enterprise-only)
- Low rated payload (1 kg) — research or light-handling tasks only
- Short runtime (60 min) — frequent recharging or battery swaps
Frequently asked questions
How do Forerunner K1 and ASIMO compare on price?
Forerunner K1: $30,000. ASIMO: Never sold commercially. 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 ASIMO?
Forerunner K1 rates a higher payload at 25 kg vs 1 kg. Payload ratings are vendor claims and do not always include a duty cycle — peak vs sustained payload can differ significantly.
Is Forerunner K1 or ASIMO actually available to buy?
Forerunner K1 is shipping to customers. ASIMO has been discontinued. Status reflects the vendor's published commercial position as of the last review and can change between announcement and actual delivery.
Last updated: 2024
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