Dobot MG400 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Dobot |
|---|---|
| Model | MG400 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Category | Modular Diy |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Price (USD) | $1199–$1399 |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, USB, ROS, Wi-Fi |
| Country of origin | CN |
Key features
- ±0.05mm repeatability (10x better than myCobot 280)
- 4-DOF cobot, 750g payload, 440mm reach
- CE safety certified for human-collaborative use
- Python, ROS, Lua, C/C++ SDK
- 1000 mm/s max speed
- Light industrial automation at $1,200
- PCB assembly, dispensing, screwdriving capable
What is it?
The Dobot MG400 is a 4-axis flat-form collaborative robot designed for tabletop automation tasks in light manufacturing, electronics assembly, and laboratory automation. Its flat SCARA-like configuration gives it a compact footprint and excellent horizontal reach for benchtop applications.
Who is it for?
Small businesses and startups automating repetitive tabletop tasks: dispensing, screwdriving, PCB assembly, kitting, and labelling. Research labs needing a reliable 4-axis arm for structured workspace experiments. Universities seeking an affordable cobot for teaching industrial automation programming.
Key specs
- DOF: 4 axes
- Payload: 750 g
- Reach: 440 mm
- Repeatability: ±0.05 mm (superior to myCobot series)
- Speed: Up to 1000 mm/s
- SDK: Python, ROS, Lua, C/C++
- Safety: CE certified, safety-rated for human-collaborative operation
- Weight: ~8 kg
- Price: ~$1,200
- Origin: China
Key differentiator: repeatability
At ±0.05mm repeatability, the MG400 delivers 10x better positional accuracy than the myCobot 280 (±0.5mm) — enabling genuine assembly, dispensing, and screwdriving tasks where positioning precision matters. This makes MG400 the transition point between hobbyist/education arms and real automation capability.
How it compares
MG400 competes with Ufactory lite6 (6-DOF, 600g payload, similar price), myCobot 320 (6-DOF, 1kg, $1,299), and Universal Robots UR3e ($35,000). At $1,200 with ±0.05mm repeatability, MG400 is the most precise affordable tabletop cobot in its price class, though 4-DOF limits orientation flexibility vs 6-DOF arms.
Limitations
- 4-DOF limits to flat/horizontal tasks — cannot reach above-table or angled surfaces well
- 750g payload limits to lightweight tools
- Flat form factor less flexible than 6-DOF arms for multi-orientation tasks
- SCARA kinematics require different programming approach vs articulated 6-DOF
FAQ
What makes MG400 different from myCobot?
MG400 has ±0.05mm repeatability vs myCobot 280's ±0.5mm — 10x more precise. MG400 is CE safety-certified for collaborative operation. The MG400 is designed for real automation tasks; myCobot targets education and research. The trade-off is MG400's 4-DOF SCARA configuration vs myCobot's 6-DOF articulated arm.
Can MG400 be used for production manufacturing?
MG400 is suitable for light-duty tabletop production tasks in small-volume manufacturing. It is CE certified for collaborative use. For high-volume industrial production, full-size cobots (Universal Robots, KUKA) are more appropriate.
What programming languages does MG400 support?
MG400 supports Python, ROS/ROS2, Lua, and C/C++ via Dobot's TCP/IP SDK. A graphical Dobot Studio interface is also available for no-code programming.
Is MG400 safe to operate next to people?
Yes. MG400 is CE certified and designed for collaborative operation with human workers at the same workstation. It includes force sensing for collision detection and safety-rated stop functions.