A2 vs ASIMO: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2024)
AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics) vs Honda — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
A2 leads in higher payload, longer runtime, faster speed, while ASIMO leads in more DOF. Overall, A2 has an edge in 3 out of 4 compared categories.
A2
AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics)
ASIMO
Honda
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A2 ASIMO
Specifications
$100,000PriceNever sold commercially
169 cmHeight130 cm
69 kgWeight48 kg
40DOF57
15 kgPayload1 kg
2hRuntime1h
3.3 m/sSpeed2.5 m/s
YesStairsYes
YesLiDARNo
200 TOPSComputeProprietary Honda embedded systems
Task Capabilities
✓Pick up a box from shelf?
✓Open a door handle?
✓Pour liquid into cup?
◔Use a power tool?
◔Type on keyboard?
✓Climb stairs with load?
◔Walk on uneven terrain?
✓Run (>3 m/s)?
◔Crouch under obstacle?
✓Navigate in crowd?
✓Recognize & locate objects?
✓Respond to voice commands?
✓Detect humans nearby?
✕Work 8-hour shift?
?Hot-swap battery?
◔Operate 24/7 (with charging)?
✕Work in rain (IP65+)?
✕Work below 0°C?
✕Work in dusty environment?
✓Work safely alongside humans?
Ecosystem Openness
60
A2
/100
—
ASIMO
AimRT framework (ROS2/gRPC/MQTT). Chinese docs primarily.
Pros and cons at a glance
A2
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- Ships with LiDAR for robust depth sensing in low-light environments
- 40 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Short runtime (120 min) — frequent recharging or battery swaps
ASIMO
Pros
- 57 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Discontinued by the manufacturer
- Unit price not publicly disclosed (quote-on-request or enterprise-only)
- Low rated payload (1 kg) — research or light-handling tasks only
- Short runtime (60 min) — frequent recharging or battery swaps
Frequently asked questions
How do A2 and ASIMO compare on price?
A2: $100,000. ASIMO: Never sold commercially. Only one of the two has a public unit price; the other publishes a range or enterprise-only terms.
Which has higher payload: A2 or ASIMO?
A2 rates a higher payload at 15 kg vs 1 kg. Payload ratings are vendor claims and do not always include a duty cycle — peak vs sustained payload can differ significantly.
Is A2 or ASIMO actually available to buy?
A2 is shipping to customers. ASIMO has been discontinued. Status reflects the vendor's published commercial position as of the last review and can change between announcement and actual delivery.
Which is better for ROS-based development: A2 or ASIMO?
A2 has ros2; ASIMO has no ROS support. For research and multi-vendor robotics stacks, native ROS 2 is the strongest signal of ecosystem maturity.
Does A2 or ASIMO use LiDAR?
A2 ships with LiDAR for depth sensing; ASIMO does not. LiDAR adds cost and complexity but improves obstacle detection in low-light or low-contrast environments.
Last updated: 2024