ABB IRB 5500 FlexPainter vs KUKA KR 16 ARC HW
Head-to-head comparison of ABB Robotics ABB IRB 5500 FlexPainter and KUKA KUKA KR 16 ARC HW. Updated 2026.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Overall Score
80.0/ 100
ABB IRB 5500 FlexPainter
ABB Robotics
80.0/ 100
KUKA KR 16 ARC HW
KUKA
Score Breakdown
86
Performance82
86
Reliability86
70
Ease of Use76
74
Intelligence74
72
Value78
82
Ecosystem80
88
Safety82
78
Design74
Specs Comparison
| Spec | ABB IRB 5500 FlexPainter | KUKA KR 16 ARC HW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140,000 | $55,000 |
| Arm | Hollow — paint hose routing | — |
| Axes | 7 | 6 |
| Mounting | Shelf/wall | — |
| Reach Mm | 3580 | 1636 |
| Payload Kg | 13 | 16 |
| Protection | EX rated for solvents | — |
| Application | Automotive painting | MIG/MAG arc welding |
| Floor Savings | 30% | — |
| Wrist | — | Hollow for torch cable |
| Software | — | KUKA.ArcTech |
| Controller | — | KR C5 |
| Repeatability Mm | — | 0.04 |
Buyer Intelligence
| Metric | ABB IRB 5500 FlexPainter | KUKA KR 16 ARC HW |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Health Score | — | — |
| 5-Year TCO Estimate | $196,000 | $77,000 |
| Annual Maintenance | — | — |
| Support Model | — | — |
| Safety Certifications | — | — |