Forerunner K1 vs Forerunner K2: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2025)
Kepler Robotics vs Kepler Robotics — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
Forerunner K1 leads in higher payload, while Forerunner K2 leads in more DOF, lower price. Overall, Forerunner K2 has an edge in 2 out of 3 compared categories.
Forerunner K1
Kepler Robotics
Forerunner K2
Kepler Robotics
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Forerunner K1 Forerunner K2
Specifications
$30,000Price$20,000
178 cmHeight178 cm
85 kgWeight85 kg
40DOF52
25 kgPayload15 kg
8hRuntime8h
—Speed—
YesStairsYes
NoLiDARNo
N/ACompute100 TOPS
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
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
Forerunner K2
Pros
- Open for preorders
- Long runtime (8h per charge) for full-shift operation
- 52 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: Forerunner K1 or Forerunner K2?
Forerunner K2 is cheaper at $20,000 vs $30,000 for Forerunner K1. Note that lower price does not imply lower total cost of ownership — see the TCO calculator on the Explore page for utilisation-adjusted figures.
Which has higher payload: Forerunner K1 or Forerunner K2?
Forerunner K1 rates a higher payload at 25 kg vs 15 kg. Payload ratings are vendor claims and do not always include a duty cycle — peak vs sustained payload can differ significantly.
Is Forerunner K1 or Forerunner K2 actually available to buy?
Forerunner K1 is shipping to customers. Forerunner K2 is open for preorders. Status reflects the vendor's published commercial position as of the last review and can change between announcement and actual delivery.
Last updated: 2025
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