Comau Robotics Racer5 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Comau Robotics |
|---|---|
| Model | Racer5 |
| Year | 2018 |
| Category | Industrial Lite |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | indoor |
| Weight | 21.5 kg |
| Country of origin | IT |
Key features
- 5 kg payload
- 800 mm reach
- ±0.02 mm repeatability
- IP65 rated
- High-speed assembly rated
- Compact industrial footprint
- C5G controller platform
- Automotive heritage design
What is it?
The Comau Racer5 is a 6-axis industrial robot with 5 kg payload, 800 mm reach, and ±0.02 mm repeatability. The mid-range model in the Racer-series, the Racer5 targets applications requiring a compact industrial robot — rather than a cobot — for assembly, machine tending, and pick-and-place at 5 kg payload. IP65 protection and a small base footprint make it well suited to compact production cells and hygiene-controlled environments.
Who is it for?
- Automotive electronics suppliers assembling ECUs, sensors, and connectors at high cycle rates in guarded cells
- Consumer electronics manufacturers running board handling, inspection, and assembly with tight-tolerance requirements
- General contract manufacturers building compact assembly cells where collaborative deployment is not required
- Food manufacturers using IP65-protected robots in hygiene-sensitive zones for product handling
Key specs
- Payload: 5 kg
- Reach: 800 mm
- Repeatability: ±0.02 mm
- Degrees of freedom: 6
- Weight (arm): 21.5 kg
- IP rating: IP65
- Controller: Comau C5G / RC
- Footprint: Compact column-mount compatible
How it compares
The Universal Robots UR5e (5 kg, 850 mm, ±0.03 mm) is the primary collaborative alternative. The Racer5 outperforms on speed and repeatability but requires guarding. The Fanuc M-10iA/10M (10 kg, 1,422 mm) is a larger industrial robot at double the payload; for 5 kg applications requiring high cycle rates in guarded cells, the Racer5 is the competitive Comau reference.
Limitations
- Not collaborative; all deployments require physical safety guarding
- 800 mm reach is shorter than the UR5e (850 mm) and competing industrial arms in the class
- Comau integrator network is smaller in North American and Asian markets than Fanuc or KUKA
- C5G controller requires Comau-specific programming expertise
FAQ
What is the Comau Racer5 payload and reach?
The Racer5 has a 5 kg payload and 800 mm reach. It is designed for compact industrial cells where high speed and precision are required at 5 kg payload.
What repeatability does the Racer5 achieve?
The Racer5 achieves ±0.02 mm repeatability, better than the collaborative UR5e (±0.03 mm). This makes it suitable for precision assembly and inspection tasks requiring consistent part placement.
Is the Racer5 collaborative?
No. The Racer5 is a conventional industrial robot requiring physical safety guarding. For collaborative 5 kg applications, the Comau Rebel-S or Universal Robots UR5e should be specified.
What applications is the Racer5 best suited to?
The Racer5 excels in high-speed assembly, PCB handling, machine tending, and pick-and-place in compact guarded cells. Its IP65 rating also makes it suitable for hygiene-sensitive environments.
How does the Racer5 compare to the Universal Robots UR5e?
The UR5e is collaborative (no guarding required) with 850 mm reach and a larger ecosystem. The Racer5 is faster with ±0.02 mm repeatability and IP65 protection. For high-throughput guarded cells, the Racer5 is typically preferred; for flexible collaborative deployment, the UR5e wins.