UR10e vs DOBOT CR12A: UR12e (Formerly UR10e) Compared on Price, Specs and Applications
The UR10e has long been a go-to 10 kg-class cobot for machine tending and palletizing. Universal Robots now sells the same arm as the UR12e, a name that reflects its actual 12.5 kg payload; the hardware is unchanged. The DOBOT CR12A competes in the same class with a 12 kg payload, tighter published repeatability, a higher speed ceiling and a lower listed price.
This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and publicly listed U.S. prices to show where each robot is stronger and which projects suit each one.
Quick verdict. The UR12e (formerly UR10e) is the stronger choice when reach, a lighter arm, built-in force sensing and the UR ecosystem matter most. The DOBOT CR12A is the stronger value choice, with ±0.03 mm repeatability, a 5 m/s speed ceiling, low power consumption and a listed price about $10,600 lower.
UR10e, UR12e and the DOBOT CR12A at a glance
Buyers searching for the UR10e will find new units listed as the UR12e. The two are mechanically and technically identical: 12.5 kg payload, 1300 mm reach, ±0.05 mm repeatability, 33.5 kg arm weight and an Ø190 mm base. Only the name changed.
The CR12A belongs to DOBOT's CRA series. It carries 12 kg, reaches 1200 mm, weighs 39.5 kg and uses a standalone safety controller rated PLd Category 3, with DobotStudio Pro programming on a phone, tablet, PC or pendant.
Main specification comparison
Specification | Universal Robots UR12e (formerly UR10e) | DOBOT CR12A |
Robot type | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6-axis collaborative robot |
Published price (U.S.) | $44,636 (with control box and teach pendant) | $34,000 |
Rated payload | 12.5 kg | 12 kg |
Reach | 1300 mm | 1200 mm |
Repeatability | ±0.05 mm (ISO 9283) | ±0.03 mm |
Maximum speed | 4 m/s TCP | 5 m/s linear |
Joint speed | Base and shoulder 120°/s; elbow and wrists 180°/s | J1–J2 150°/s |
Joint range | ±360° on all six joints | ±360° on five joints; ±160° on J3 |
Arm weight | 33.5 kg (including cable) | 39.5 kg |
Footprint | Ø190 mm | Not specified in manufacturer data |
Protection rating | Arm IP54, control box IP44 | IP54 (CRA series) |
Operating temperature | 0–50 °C | 0–50 °C |
Power | 615 W maximum | 350 W |
Force sensing | Built-in 6-axis force/torque sensor (±100 N, ±10 Nm) | Collision detection; optional SafeSkin on selected CRA models |
Safety | 23 configurable safety functions; EN ISO 13849-1 PLd Cat. 3; EN ISO 10218-1 | Standalone safety controller PLd Cat. 3; 20+ safety functions; ISO 13849-1, ISO 10218-1, ISO/TS 15066 |
Tool I/O | 2 DI, 2 DO, 2 AI or RS485; 12/24 V, up to 2 A | 2 DI, 2 DO, 2 AI shared with RS485 (CRA series) |
Controller I/O | 16 DI, 16 DO, 2 AI, 2 AO, 4 quadrature inputs | 24 DI/DO (PNP/NPN) (CRA series) |
Industrial protocols | Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET with PROFIsafe, ROS/ROS2 | Modbus TCP/RTU, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET |
Programming | 12-inch teach pendant with PolyScope | DobotStudio Pro (blocks and Lua) on phone, tablet, PC or pendant; hand-guided teaching |
Arm cable | 6 m | 5 m |
Best overall advantage | Reach, lighter arm, force sensing, ecosystem | Price, repeatability, speed, low power |
Price comparison
Universal Robots sells through distributors and does not publish a global list price. Vention, a U.S. automation supplier, lists the UR12e at $44,636, shipped with its matching control box and teach pendant. RobotShop's U.S. store lists the DOBOT CR12A at $34,000.
UR12e (formerly UR10e): $44,636
DOBOT CR12A: $34,000
Difference: $10,636
The UR12e listing is about 1.3 times the CR12A price
The CR12A costs roughly 24% less
These are hardware prices and exclude grippers, guarding, integration and shipping. The UR12e's price includes a built-in force/torque sensor, which can offset part of the difference in force-controlled applications.
Payload
The UR12e is rated for 12.5 kg and the CR12A for 12 kg, so payload is effectively equal. For both, the usable part weight depends on the gripper and center of gravity, so payload curves should be checked against the real tool.
Reach and workspace
The UR12e reaches 1300 mm, 100 mm more than the CR12A's 1200 mm. That extra reach helps in palletizing, tending two machines and reaching deep into enclosures.
The UR12e also rotates ±360° on every joint, while the CR12A limits joint 3 to ±160°.
Repeatability and precision
The CR12A publishes ±0.03 mm repeatability and the UR12e ±0.05 mm. Both are more than adequate for machine tending, packaging and palletizing, and the CR12A's tighter figure can help in assembly with heavier tools.
Speed, weight and power
DOBOT publishes a 5 m/s maximum linear speed for the CR12A, compared with 4 m/s for the UR12e. In guarded cells, the higher ceiling can shorten long moves; in collaborative operation, the risk assessment usually sets the practical limit.
The UR12e arm weighs 33.5 kg, 6 kg less than the CR12A's 39.5 kg, which eases mounting on carts and pedestals. The CR12A is rated at 350 W, well below the UR12e's 615 W maximum.
Safety and force sensing
Both robots publish PLd Category 3 safety. The UR12e has 23 configurable safety functions certified to EN ISO 13849-1 and complies with EN ISO 10218-1. The CR12A uses a standalone safety controller with more than 20 safety functions, and DOBOT states certification to ISO 13849-1, ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066 for the CRA series.
The UR12e adds a built-in six-axis force/torque sensor (±100 N, ±10 Nm) for force-controlled tasks. The CR12A offers five adjustable collision-detection levels and a fast-acting brake.
Controller, programming and connectivity
Universal Robots UR12e
The UR12e uses a 12-inch teach pendant running PolyScope. The control box provides 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs and 4 quadrature inputs, with Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET with PROFIsafe and ROS/ROS2.
DOBOT CR12A
The CR12A is programmed with DobotStudio Pro, combining graphical blocks with Lua scripting on a phone, tablet, PC or pendant, with hand-guided teaching. The CRA controller provides 24 digital I/O supporting PNP and NPN, and supports Modbus TCP/RTU, EtherNet/IP and PROFINET.
Best applications for the UR12e (formerly UR10e)
Palletizing and depalletizing that needs 1300 mm reach
Machine tending of two machines from one position
Force-controlled sanding, polishing and insertion
Cart-mounted cells that benefit from a lighter arm
Lines that rely on PROFINET with PROFIsafe
Best applications for the DOBOT CR12A
Machine tending and packaging on a tighter budget
Assembly with heavier tools that need ±0.03 mm repeatability
Guarded cells where higher speed shortens cycles
Energy-conscious and DC-oriented installations
Education and training with app-based programming
UR12e (formerly UR10e) advantages
1300 mm reach
6 kg lighter arm
Built-in six-axis force/torque sensor
±360° on every joint
Native PROFINET with PROFIsafe
Large UR+ ecosystem and integrator network
UR12e (formerly UR10e) limitations
About 1.3 times the listed price of the CR12A
Looser published repeatability (±0.05 mm)
Higher maximum power consumption
DOBOT CR12A advantages
Listed about $10,600 below the UR12e
±0.03 mm published repeatability
5 m/s maximum linear speed
350 W power consumption
PLd Cat. 3 safety controller
App, tablet and PC programming with hand guiding
DOBOT CR12A limitations
1200 mm reach
39.5 kg arm weight
No built-in force/torque sensor
Narrower range on joint 3
Final verdict
Choose the UR12e (formerly UR10e) when reach, a lighter arm, built-in force sensing and the UR ecosystem justify the higher price. It suits palletizing, two-machine tending and force-controlled finishing.
Choose the DOBOT CR12A when repeatability, speed, power efficiency and budget are the priorities. Its ±0.03 mm repeatability, 5 m/s speed ceiling and PLd Cat. 3 safety controller make it a strong value option for machine tending, packaging and assembly.
Both robots handle about 12 kg with documented PLd Category 3 safety, so the decision mostly comes down to reach and force sensing against precision, speed and price.
Read our full UR10e review and DOBOT CR12 review, or compare the UR16e vs FAIRINO FR16.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the UR10e still available?
Universal Robots now sells the UR10e as the UR12e. The hardware is identical, and the new name reflects the arm's 12.5 kg payload.
Which is cheaper, the UR10e/UR12e or the DOBOT CR12A?
RobotShop lists the CR12A at $34,000 in the U.S. Vention lists the UR12e at $44,636, including the control box and teach pendant.
Which robot has the longer reach?
The UR12e reaches 1300 mm, 100 mm more than the CR12A's 1200 mm.
Which robot is more repeatable?
The CR12A publishes ±0.03 mm and the UR12e ±0.05 mm.
Which robot is faster?
DOBOT publishes a 5 m/s maximum linear speed for the CR12A. Universal Robots publishes a 4 m/s maximum TCP speed for the UR12e.
Which robot is lighter?
The UR12e arm weighs 33.5 kg and the CR12A 39.5 kg.
Do both robots have PLd Category 3 safety?
Yes. Both publish PLd Category 3 safety functions.
Does either robot have built-in force sensing?
The UR12e has a built-in six-axis force/torque sensor. The CR12A relies on collision detection.
Which robot should I buy?
Choose the UR12e for reach, a lighter arm, force sensing and ecosystem support. Choose the CR12A for repeatability, speed, power efficiency and a lower price.
