Yaskawa Motoman HC-Series Cobots

Industrial Performance with Collaborative Capabilities

The HC Series is designed for manufacturers that want collaborative functionality without moving too far away from traditional industrial robot performance. All three models use six-axis articulated arms and include Power and Force Limiting technology that monitors external forces and reacts when configured limits are exceeded. Their rounded, pinch-point-reducing design is also intended to make close human-robot interaction safer.

Yaskawa introduced the original MOTOMAN-HC10 in 2017 as a 10 kg collaborative robot capable of working near people and being taught by physically guiding its arm. The family later expanded into higher-payload work: Yaskawa launched the 20 kg HC20DT in 2019 and added the palletizing-focused HC30PL in 2022.

The robots can be taught by physically guiding the arm, which can make position teaching and production changeovers more approachable. A particularly useful feature is their hybrid operation. The robot can run in a safely monitored collaborative mode when people are nearby and use higher industrial performance when the appropriate guarding and safety measures are active. This flexibility can help manufacturers balance accessibility with cycle time.

Applications Across the HC Series

The HC Series covers a broad selection of manufacturing and logistics tasks. The smaller HC10DTP is suited to assembly, component loading, machine tending, pick-and-pack, packaging and general material handling. Its 58 kg robot weight and flexible mounting options can make it easier to integrate where available space is limited or where the arm needs to be installed above or beside a workstation.

The HC20DTP provides a larger 20 kg payload and a 1,700 mm effective horizontal reach. This makes it suitable for heavier parts, larger machines, case handling and palletizing applications that require additional reach or lifting capacity. Its 3,400 mm vertical reach also allows it to access tall pallet loads without necessarily requiring an external lifting axis.

The HC30PL is the purpose-focused palletizing model. Its 30 kg payload allows it to handle heavier boxes, bags and packaged products, while direct teaching can simplify the setup of pallet positions. The model can also support selected handling and packaging tasks, although its floor-only installation and palletizing-oriented design make it less general-purpose than the HC10DTP and HC20DTP.

Choosing the Right HC Series Model

The main choice comes down to required payload, reach, installation flexibility and whether the application is general-purpose or specifically focused on palletizing. The HC10DTP is the lightest and most compact option. The HC20DTP offers substantially more reach and payload while retaining flexible mounting. The HC30PL raises the payload to 30 kg but is intended primarily for floor-mounted palletizing systems.

Model: HC10DTP
Payload: 10 kg | Effective horizontal reach: 1,200 mm | Vertical reach: 2,400 mm | Robot weight: 58 kg | Repeatability: 0.05 mm
Mounting: Floor, wall, tilted or ceiling
Best suited for: Assembly, machine tending, packaging, pick-and-pack and general material handling where a smaller HC Series robot is preferred.

Model: HC20DTP
Payload: 20 kg | Effective horizontal reach: 1,700 mm | Vertical reach: 3,400 mm | Robot weight: 140 kg | Repeatability: 0.05 mm
Mounting: Floor, wall, tilted or ceiling
Best suited for: Heavier material handling, large-machine tending, packaging, palletizing and long-reach applications.

Model: HC30PL
Payload: 30 kg | Maximum reach: 1,700 mm below a 27 kg payload or 1,600 mm above a 27 kg payload | Vertical reach: 3,400 mm | Robot weight: 140 kg | Repeatability: 0.05 mm
Mounting: Floor only
Best suited for: Heavy collaborative palletizing and selected packaging, bag-handling and logistics applications.