- Three main models: HC10DTP (10 kg, 1200 mm reach), HC20DTP (20 kg, 1700 mm reach), HC10XP (10 kg, IP67 washdown).
- Hand-guided teaching via DTP function — operator physically moves the arm while it records waypoints, no pendant required.
- Runs on YRC1000 controller shared with Yaskawa's industrial robot range — same Inform language, same fieldbus options.
- HC20DTP at 20 kg payload is one of the highest-payload cobots certified for PFL collaborative operation.
- Robot-only price: $38,000–$55,000 (September 2026); full installed system $75,000–$140,000.
Overview
Yaskawa Electric (Japan) is one of the four major industrial robot manufacturers globally (alongside FANUC, ABB, and KUKA). The HC series, launched from 2016, is Yaskawa's collaborative robot lineup, built on the same mechanical design philosophy as their high-reliability industrial Motoman robots.
The "DTP" suffix stands for Direct Teaching Pendant — the ability to physically guide the robot arm while the controller records the path, a method called lead-through teaching. This makes Yaskawa HC robots attractive for applications where programming via pendant is impractical (complex curved paths, welding bead teaching, polishing).
Yaskawa cobots are particularly common in automotive supply chain, metal fabrication, and food processing in Japan and Southeast Asia, where the Yaskawa brand commands strong loyalty.
Model Lineup
| Model | Payload | Reach | Repeatability | Robot Weight | IP Rating | Robot Price (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HC10DTP | 10 kg | 1,200 mm | ±0.1 mm | 49 kg | IP54 | ~$38,000–$44,000 |
| HC20DTP | 20 kg | 1,700 mm | ±0.1 mm | 66 kg | IP54 | ~$48,000–$55,000 |
| HC10XP | 10 kg | 1,200 mm | ±0.1 mm | 51 kg | IP67 | ~$42,000–$50,000 |
The HC10XP is the washdown variant — fully sealed to IP67, no gaps or exposed fasteners that would trap food particles. It is rated for direct water jet cleaning and designed for CIP (clean-in-place) environments. The arm uses food-safe grease and stainless flange hardware.
Note: HC series repeatability (±0.1 mm) is slightly lower than UR (±0.03–0.05 mm) — adequate for most machine tending and handling, but not ideal for precision assembly.
YRC1000 Controller
The YRC1000 is Yaskawa's current generation controller, shared between the HC collaborative series and most of the Motoman industrial robot range. Key specs: compact 598×490×263 mm cabinet, supports up to eight axes, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, CC-Link IE. Programming language is INFORM III (Yaskawa's proprietary instruction set).
The controller supports multi-robot coordination (up to 8 robots per controller in some configurations), which is valuable for automotive and multi-station cells. Offline programming is available through MotoSim EG-VRC simulation software.
Smart Pendant and DTP Programming
Yaskawa offers two ways to programme the HC series:
- Smart Pendant: A 10-inch capacitive touchscreen pendant with a simplified graphical interface. Operators create jobs by selecting motion types, specifying waypoints by moving the robot, and inserting I/O commands via a block-based editor. The Smart Pendant does not require knowledge of INFORM and is designed for operators, not programmers. It generates valid INFORM code that can be reviewed or edited by engineers.
- Direct Teaching (DTP): The operator holds the wrist and physically moves the arm through the desired path while pressing the record button. The controller records joint positions at set intervals or on demand. This is especially useful for weld bead teaching, polishing paths, or any motion that would be complex to express numerically. Yaskawa claims this cuts first-time programming time by 50–70% for weld applications.
For advanced programming (conditional logic, external triggers, MES communication), INFORM III text programming or the MotoPlus SDK (C/C++) is used.
Applications
| Application | Best Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Machine tending (CNC) | HC10DTP | 10 kg covers most small-medium part work; double-gripper load/unload |
| Heavy press tending | HC20DTP | 20 kg payload handles stampings and castings other cobots cannot reach |
| MIG/MAG welding | HC10DTP | DTP lead-through teaches bead paths faster than pendant; integrates with Yaskawa Weld Package |
| Food processing | HC10XP | IP67, food-safe grease, stainless flange; rated for washdown cleaning |
| Palletizing | HC20DTP | 20 kg at 1700 mm reach covers Euro-pallet build; slower cycle rate than dedicated palletizer |
| Assembly with heavy parts | HC20DTP | Engine blocks, gearbox components, large structural parts |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Highest payload in standard cobot range (HC20DTP at 20 kg) — unique in collaborative robots
- DTP lead-through programming significantly speeds up weld and path-based task programming
- YRC1000 controller shared with industrial robots — one system for mixed robot cells
- IP67 variant (HC10XP) factory-built for food/beverage and pharma washdown
- Strong brand in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia — excellent local support in those regions
- MotoSim offline simulation software available
Limitations
- Repeatability ±0.1 mm — lower than UR (±0.03–0.05 mm); not suitable for precision assembly
- Smaller accessory ecosystem — fewer certified plug-and-play EOAT options vs UR+
- INFORM language learning curve for engineers from non-Yaskawa backgrounds
- Less common in European and North American SME deployments — fewer independent integrators
- No small-payload cobot in the HC lineup — below 10 kg, other brands are better options
Pricing
| Item | HC10DTP System | HC20DTP System |
|---|---|---|
| Robot + controller | $38,000–$44,000 | $48,000–$55,000 |
| End-of-arm tooling | $4,000–$15,000 | $5,000–$20,000 |
| Integration labour | $15,000–$40,000 | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Safety assessment and guarding | $3,000–$10,000 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Total installed range | $60,000–$110,000 | $76,000–$140,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "DTP" mean in HC10DTP?
DTP stands for Direct Teaching Pendant — the feature that allows lead-through programming by physically moving the robot arm. The operator grips the wrist, presses the DTP enable button, and guides the arm through the motion. Waypoints are recorded on demand or continuously. This is also called "hand guiding" under ISO/TS 15066 — one of the four collaborative robot modes. Most DTP applications involve welding bead teaching, polishing, and pick-and-place path definition where the motion is easier to demonstrate than to programme numerically.
Is the HC20DTP the only 20 kg cobot available?
It is one of the few certified collaborative robots at 20 kg payload. Universal Robots' UR20 is also rated at 20 kg. Doosan's H2517 reaches 25 kg. Above 20 kg, most manufacturers recommend conventional industrial robots with safety-rated speed monitoring rather than PFL cobots — the contact force at 20 kg and typical cobot speeds is at the upper boundary of ISO/TS 15066 thresholds. Always conduct a formal risk assessment for any cobot at this payload range.
Can Yaskawa HC robots weld?
Yes. The HC10DTP is commonly used for MIG/MAG cobot welding. Yaskawa offers a Weld Package — preconfigured parameters for arc welding with Fronius or Lincoln wire feeders, including arc start/stop instructions and weave patterns in INFORM. The DTP lead-through teaching is particularly useful for weld joints that would be difficult to express as numerical waypoints. However, Yaskawa does not offer a packaged weld cell equivalent to Hirebotics Beacon or Vectis — integration is done by certified Yaskawa welding integrators.
Sources
- Yaskawa Motoman HC10DTP/HC20DTP Product Specification (2025)
- Yaskawa Smart Pendant Operating Manual (2024)
- ISO/TS 15066:2016 — Collaborative Robot Safety (hand-guiding mode)