- 5 kg payload, 950 mm reach, ±0.05 mm repeatability — single-arm GoFa is the standard model.
- 2.2 m/s TCP speed is the highest of any certified collaborative robot in the 5 kg class (UR5e is 1.75 m/s).
- Runs ABB's OmniCore controller with RAPID programming — same language as ABB's industrial robots, enabling code reuse.
- Safety certified to ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066, TÜV approved. PFL (power-and-force limiting) mode without guarding after risk assessment.
- Robot-only price approximately $28,000–$38,000 (September 2026); full installed system $60,000–$110,000.
Product Overview
ABB launched the GoFa in 2021 as a direct competitor to Universal Robots' UR5e, targeting electronics assembly, small part handling, and logistics sorting. ABB's pitch is speed: the GoFa's 2.2 m/s TCP velocity is measurably higher than most 5 kg cobots, which matters in high-volume applications where robot cycle time is the production constraint.
The GoFa uses a 6-axis design with a slender arm profile designed to fit into tight spaces alongside human operators. All joints contain torque sensors for PFL safety. ABB also offers a dual-arm variant (SWIFTI, using two GoFa arms on a shared frame) for two-handed assembly tasks.
ABB's market position in cobots is approximately 8% global share — smaller than UR or FANUC, but backed by ABB's extensive global service network and its strong reputation in traditional industrial robotics (ABB is #2 in global industrial robot sales).
Specifications
| Parameter | GoFa (CRB 15000-5/0.95) |
|---|---|
| Payload | 5 kg |
| Reach | 950 mm |
| Axes | 6 |
| Repeatability | ±0.05 mm |
| Max TCP speed | 2.2 m/s |
| Robot weight | 25 kg |
| IP rating | IP54 (standard), IP67 (food variant) |
| Mounting | Floor, wall, ceiling, tilted |
| Power supply | 200–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Operating temperature | 5–45 °C |
| Safety | PL d, Cat. 3 (ISO 13849), TÜV certified |
| Controller | OmniCore C30 |
A food and beverage variant (IP67, stainless fittings, food-safe grease) is available at additional cost for applications requiring washdown cleaning.
OmniCore Controller
The OmniCore C30 is ABB's latest generation controller — smaller than a briefcase, runs RAPID (ABB's proprietary robot programming language), and connects via standard Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, and DeviceNet. Key features:
- RAPID language: A structured text language shared across all ABB robots. Engineers already familiar with ABB industrial robots can program the GoFa without retraining. A Wizard Easy Programming graphical interface is available for operators without programming experience.
- FlexPendant: Standard ABB teach pendant, 10-inch touchscreen, same as industrial robot controllers. More feature-rich than UR's PolyScope but steeper learning curve.
- RobotStudio: ABB's free offline programming and simulation software. Full simulation of the GoFa with collision detection, cycle time estimation, and reach analysis. This is a significant advantage — most cobot platforms lack offline simulation tools.
- Cloud connectivity: ABB Ability platform allows remote monitoring, utilisation tracking, and predictive maintenance.
Applications
| Application | Why GoFa Fits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics assembly | Speed + ±0.05 mm repeatability; slender arm clears tight PCB fixtures | Pair with Cognex or Basler camera via ABB Ability connector |
| Pharmaceutical packaging | IP67 food variant; GMP-compatible documentation via ABB Ability | RAPID audit trail capability |
| Logistics sorting | 2.2 m/s speed maximises throughput at conveyor stations | Bin-picking requires 3D vision add-on |
| Lab automation | Precision, IP54, small footprint for lab bench deployment | Common in diagnostics and drug discovery pipelines |
| Light machine tending | 5 kg sufficient for small parts; speed reduces cycle time | Double-gripper brings effective payload to ~3 kg per side |
| Two-handed assembly (SWIFTI) | Dual GoFa arms on single frame enable bi-manual tasks | Higher integration cost; requires SWIFTI variant |
GoFa vs YuMi
ABB offers two collaborative robots: the GoFa (single or dual-arm SWIFTI) and the YuMi. They serve different purposes:
| Feature | GoFa (CRB 15000) | YuMi (IRB 14000) |
|---|---|---|
| Arms | 1 (or 2 as SWIFTI) | 2 (always dual-arm) |
| Payload per arm | 5 kg | 0.5 kg |
| Reach per arm | 950 mm | 559 mm |
| Target application | Assembly, handling, logistics | Small-part precision assembly (electronics, watchmaking) |
| Speed | 2.2 m/s | 1.5 m/s |
| Price | ~$30,000–$38,000 | ~$45,000–$60,000 |
| Choose if | Payload > 0.5 kg or reach > 600 mm needed | Two-handed precision on tiny components at a fixed table |
YuMi is designed for inherent safety through low payload and padded arms rather than PFL sensors — it stops on any contact, making it genuinely cage-free in most risk assessments. GoFa uses PFL sensors and is faster and stronger, but still requires a risk assessment to confirm cage-free operation.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Fastest 5 kg cobot TCP speed (2.2 m/s) in class — measurable cycle time advantage in high-volume tasks
- RobotStudio offline simulation — test programs without occupying the robot
- RAPID language shared with all ABB industrial robots — one programming skill covers the full ABB range
- IP67 food variant available from factory
- OmniCore controller: compact, strong fieldbus support, cloud-ready
- ABB global service network — local support in most manufacturing countries
Limitations
- 5 kg is the only payload option for GoFa — no equivalent heavy-payload ABB cobot (above 5 kg you move to industrial robot)
- Smaller accessory ecosystem than UR+ (fewer certified plug-and-play EOAT options)
- RAPID has a steeper learning curve than PolyScope for operators with no prior robot programming
- FlexPendant is more complex than UR's PolyScope or FANUC's tablet — higher training requirement
- 950 mm reach is shorter than UR5e (850 mm is close, but UR10e at 1300 mm handles tasks GoFa cannot)
Pricing
The GoFa CRB 15000 robot-only lists at approximately $28,000–$38,000 depending on region and distributor (September 2026). A full turnkey system adds EOAT, integration, and peripheral costs:
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| GoFa robot + OmniCore controller | $28,000–$38,000 |
| End-of-arm tooling | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Integration labour and programming | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Pedestal/mounting | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Safety assessment | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Total installed range | $50,000–$100,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GoFa need a safety cage?
Not automatically — but it requires a risk assessment per ISO 10218-2 and ISO/TS 15066. The PFL safety function stops the robot if contact force or power exceeds configured limits. Whether cage-free operation is permissible depends on the tool, part, speed profile, and proximity to operators. In practice, applications with sharp tooling, heavy parts, or high approach speeds will still require guarding even on the GoFa.
Can the GoFa be programmed without knowing RAPID?
Yes. ABB's Wizard Easy Programming provides a graphical block-based interface that generates RAPID code behind the scenes. Most simple applications (pick-and-place, machine tending with fixed waypoints) can be set up by operators without programming knowledge. For complex conditional logic, vision-guided picking, or external PLC integration, a programmer familiar with RAPID or Structured Text is needed.
How does the GoFa compare to the UR5e?
Comparable payload and reach. GoFa is faster (2.2 vs 1.75 m/s TCP), has RobotStudio simulation, and is backed by ABB's global service network. UR5e has a much larger accessory ecosystem (UR+), more available integrators, and more operator familiarity. For a straightforward deployment where plug-and-play EOAT selection and rapid integration are priorities, UR5e is usually easier. For high-cycle-rate applications or organisations already using ABB industrial robots, GoFa makes more sense.
Sources
- ABB GoFa CRB 15000 Product Specification (2025)
- ABB OmniCore C30 Controller Datasheet (2025)
- ABB RobotStudio Documentation (2025)