Franka Robotics Franka Research 3vsSoftBank Robotics Whiz
Side-by-side comparison of Franka Robotics Franka Research 3 and SoftBank Robotics Whiz: specs, price, use cases and SDKs.

Franka Research 3
Research-grade 7-DoF arm with torque sensing

Whiz
Autonomous commercial vacuum sweeper for efficient, data-driven floor cleaning.
Specifications
| Spec | Franka Research 3 | Whiz |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $19,900 | $0 |
| Category | industrial | industrial |
| Payload | 3 kg | null kg |
| Runtime | — | 3 h |
| Speed | — | null m/s |
| Weight | — | 132 kg |
| Reach | 855mm | — |
| Degrees of Freedom | 7 | null |
| Battery | — | Swappable battery |
- Research
- Imitation learning
- Haptics
- Commercial floor cleaning
- Offices
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Airports
- Universities
- Healthcare facilities
- Senior living communities
When to pick which
Choose the Franka Research 3 for academic laboratories or corporate R&D centers focused on advanced manipulation and imitation learning. Its 7-DoF architecture and integrated torque sensors in every joint make it the standard for high-fidelity force control and haptic research. If your deployment requires precise trajectory execution or human-robot collaboration testing, the open-source SDK support via libfranka and ROS 2 allows for deep integration at the control level. This arm is essential for developers building complex assembly routines or testing AI-driven grasping where tactile sensitivity and an 855mm reach are more critical than mobile floor coverage.
Select the SoftBank Robotics Whiz for facility management in high-traffic environments like airports, healthcare facilities, or retail malls requiring consistent floor maintenance. Unlike a stationary arm, this mobile platform is purpose-built for autonomous commercial vacuuming across large square footages. The three-hour runtime and swappable battery system enable continuous operation in multi-shift deployments. Choose this model when the primary constraint is labor costs for repetitive cleaning tasks. Its BrainOS integration provides the necessary data reporting for compliance in senior living or hospitality sectors where verified cleanliness is a core operational requirement.
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