Apollo vs Forerunner K1: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2024)
Apptronik vs Kepler Robotics — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
Forerunner K1 leads in longer runtime. Overall, Forerunner K1 has an edge in 1 out of 1 compared categories.
Apollo
Apptronik
Forerunner K1
Kepler Robotics
DNA Fingerprint Overlay
Apollo Forerunner K1
Specifications
Target <$50,000 at scalePrice$30,000
173 cmHeight178 cm
72.6 kgWeight85 kg
—DOF40
25 kgPayload25 kg
4hRuntime8h
—Speed—
YesStairsYes
NoLiDARNo
Google DeepMind Gemini integrationComputeN/A
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◔
Pros and cons at a glance
Apollo
Pros
- High rated payload (25 kg) for industrial pick-and-place
Cons
- Still in development, no commercial availability
- Unit price not publicly disclosed (quote-on-request or enterprise-only)
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Forerunner K1
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- High rated payload (25 kg) for industrial pick-and-place
- Long runtime (8h per charge) for full-shift operation
- 40 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Frequently asked questions
How do Apollo and Forerunner K1 compare on price?
Apollo: Target <$50,000 at scale. Forerunner K1: $30,000. Only one of the two has a public unit price; the other publishes a range or enterprise-only terms.
Is Apollo or Forerunner K1 actually available to buy?
Apollo is in active development without commercial availability. Forerunner K1 is shipping to customers. Status reflects the vendor's published commercial position as of the last review and can change between announcement and actual delivery.
Last updated: 2024