The Franka Emika Panda is a legacy seven-axis torque-sensing research robot arm built for manipulation, force control, AI, ROS, and human-robot interaction.
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The Franka Emika Panda is a seven-axis torque-sensing research robot arm widely used for manipulation, force control, robot learning, and human-robot interaction.
It combines a 3 kg payload, 855 mm reach, integrated joint torque sensors, compliant motion, the Franka Control Interface, libfranka, ROS integration, and an optional two-finger Franka Hand.
Panda remains valuable for universities and laboratories reproducing established research or sourcing compatible legacy equipment.
The original Franka Emika Robot is now end of life, so buyers should verify condition, controller, software versions, included accessories, support, and whether the current Franka Research 3 is a safer long-term choice.
Redundant kinematics support flexible human-like positioning and research.
Handles research grippers, sensors, and lightweight manipulation objects.
Covers a practical benchtop workspace for laboratory experiments.
Enables compliant control, force estimation, and contact-rich manipulation.
Supports low-level control and high-rate robot-state access.
Broad libfranka, ROS, datasets, and published research support.
Collaborative research robot arm
AI and manipulation research
Indoor; 5–45°C; IP30
Fixed research workstation
3 kg
855 mm
Fixed robotic arm
End-effector dependent; Franka Hand optional
Up to 2 m/s TCP
Mains powered
100–240 VAC; ≤350 W
FCI, ROS and Desk
7 torque sensors; joint encoders
Not publicly specified
Approx. 17.8 kg



The Franka Emika Panda price does not have a current new list price because the original Franka Emika Robot, commonly called Panda, is end of life. Used and refurbished prices vary by age, controller, hand, software and condition. The final cost can change depending on country, supplier, controller or service package, accessories, freight, taxes, installation, training, warranty and technical support. A low used price can become expensive if the controller, licences, cables, brakes, torque sensors or support route are incomplete.
Buyers should therefore compare the total delivered and deployed cost rather than one headline number. For robotics laboratories, universities, AI researchers and advanced manipulation teams, the robot itself may be only one part of the investment. Tooling, software, integration, safety equipment, site preparation and operator training can materially change the budget.
The better question is: what is included, what is excluded, and what is required before the robot can perform the intended task? You can request a Franka Emika Panda quote through Anton Robots to compare the available package, delivery terms and support before buying.
You can buy or request the Franka Emika Panda through Anton Robots. We help buyers compare the correct configuration, understand what is included, check regional availability and connect the purchase to the real application rather than choosing only by model name. Franka Robotics now positions Franka Research 3 as the current successor for research buyers. Anton Robots should treat Panda as a legacy sourcing request or a comparison with the current Franka Research 3, not as normal new stock.
Before buying, confirm the exact robot version, controller, software, accessories, documentation, freight, taxes, warranty, commissioning and after-sales support. For robotics laboratories, universities, AI researchers and advanced manipulation teams, it is usually safer to compare the complete package and deployment responsibility instead of selecting the lowest displayed price.
To start, request a Franka Emika Panda quote and Anton Robots can help you review price, configuration, shipping and support. For procurement, keep the supplier quotation, packing list and warranty territory together. The same Franka Emika Panda name can appear across different bundles, markets or generations, and those differences affect both the purchase decision and the accuracy of the product page.
You can find the Franka Emika Panda for sale through the manufacturer, authorised robotics suppliers, specialist integrators and robot marketplaces such as Anton Robots. Most current listings are used laboratory units, old inventory or systems separated from their original accessories. Finding a listing is only the first step.
The important part is confirming that the exact model, controller generation, accessories, software rights and support arrangement match your project. A lower offer may exclude freight, taxes, installation, tooling, training, safety equipment or local warranty handling. For professional buyers, compare the total delivered and operational cost, expected lead time, documentation, spare-parts route and who will solve integration problems after delivery.
If you are looking for a Franka Emika Panda for sale, contact Anton Robots before placing an order so the package and commercial status can be checked. A serious comparison should record currency, tax basis, delivery location, included hardware and after-sales route. Anton Robots should only present the Franka Emika Panda as purchasable under the commercial conditions that can actually be verified for the buyer.
Yes. You can get a quote for the Franka Emika Panda through Anton Robots. A useful quote should show the exact robot version, controller, required software, standard accessories, optional equipment, shipping assumptions, warranty, delivery estimate and available implementation support. A quote should identify serial numbers, hardware revision, system image, libfranka compatibility, service history and exactly which components are included.
This matters because two quotes for the same robot can describe very different systems. One may cover only the base hardware, while another includes tooling, commissioning, safety design, training and local service. For robotics laboratories, universities, AI researchers and advanced manipulation teams, the quote should also confirm whether the selected model has the right payload, reach, sensing, runtime or interaction capability for the intended use. Anton Robots can help you compare the Franka Emika Panda with other robotic arms and request a package based on your location and application.
Before committing, ask for written confirmation of the exact Franka Emika Panda version, regional warranty, lead time and responsibility for support. This prevents a base-product listing from being confused with a complete, locally supported package and gives Anton Robots a defensible commercial answer.
A typical Franka Emika Panda package may include the core robot hardware, standard power or charging equipment, required controller or dock, basic software access and startup documentation. The exact contents vary by seller, region, model revision and configuration, so buyers should request an itemised packing list. Confirm whether the offer includes:
Application equipment, consumables, subscriptions, integration, freight and training may be separate even when they appear in product images or demonstrations.
This matters because two offers can both use the same product name but deliver different functionality and support. You can request an itemised Franka Emika Panda package through Anton Robots before buying. For procurement, keep the supplier quotation, packing list and warranty territory together. The same Franka Emika Panda name can appear across different bundles, markets or generations, and those differences affect both the purchase decision and the accuracy of the product page.
Yes. Franka Robotics lists the original Franka Emika Robot, previously known as Panda, as end of life. The company still provides legacy documentation and software information, but current research buyers are generally directed toward Franka Research 3.
End of life does not mean every installed Panda stops working. Many units remain active in universities and laboratories, and the open research ecosystem is substantial. It does mean new factory availability, warranty, spare parts and future software compatibility should not be assumed.
Before buying a used unit, confirm the hardware revision, controller, system image, libfranka and ROS versions, account access, service options and whether the robot can still be activated and maintained. Anton Robots should label Panda clearly as legacy rather than presenting it as an ordinary current-production arm. The final decision should include support, training, maintenance and recovery from common faults. Those operational details often determine whether the Franka Emika Panda remains useful after the initial setup or novelty period.
The original Panda is a seven-axis lightweight robot with approximately 3 kg payload and 855 mm reach. Seven degrees of freedom provide redundancy similar to a human arm, allowing the robot to change elbow posture while maintaining the tool pose.
Integrated joint torque sensing supports force control, collision detection and research into physical interaction. Payload calculations must include the gripper, fingers, cables and object, so a heavy tool can leave little capacity for the part. The arm is well suited to laboratory manipulation and AI research but not heavy machine tending or palletizing.
For a used system, verify calibration and torque-sensor health because datasheet capability does not guarantee that an older unit still performs correctly. The current Franka Research 3 keeps a similar 3 kg and 855 mm format with updated hardware and software support. Validate these figures with the complete tool, product and motion profile. Datasheet limits describe the robot, while usable performance depends on centre of gravity, mounting, path, duty cycle and the acceptance criteria agreed for the real application.
The primary current successor is the Franka Research 3. It retains the seven-axis, 3 kg payload, 855 mm reach and torque-sensing research concept while receiving current hardware, system-image, ROS 2 and support development. Buyers starting a new long-term research programme should compare the lower acquisition cost of a used Panda against FR3 warranty, parts, software compatibility and expected service life. A legacy Panda may still make sense when a laboratory must reproduce older work or already has compatible infrastructure.
FR3 is usually safer when future updates, institutional procurement and multi-year support matter. Compatibility is not completely interchangeable: check control software, system image, ROS distribution, accessories and experiment code before migrating.
Anton Robots can help frame the decision as legacy continuity versus current-platform support. The comparison should use one defined application, location and ownership period. Without those constraints, a cheaper or newer alternative can appear better while failing the actual requirement for support, interaction, payload, reach or lifecycle.
Panda can be controlled through the Franka Control Interface using the open-source libfranka C++ library and the franka_ros integration. FCI provides robot state and command interfaces at up to 1 kHz for joint torque, position, velocity and Cartesian control, making the platform popular for control, learning and manipulation research. The exact compatible libfranka and ROS versions depend on the robot’s system image. Older Panda systems often use ROS 1 environments, and a modern workstation package may not communicate with an outdated or mismatched controller.
Before buying, request the system version, compatibility matrix, account credentials and a working test. A real-time-capable network and carefully configured computer are important for low-level control.
Do not update legacy software without checking compatibility and preserving a backup. For organisational use, assign ownership of accounts, updates, credentials and data retention. The technical feature is only useful when the buyer can maintain it securely and reproduce the configuration after a computer, phone or controller is replaced.
Not necessarily. The Franka Hand is a separate two-finger gripper and may be included in some Panda packages, but many used listings contain only the arm and controller. Confirm the hand model, finger set, cable, mounting hardware and whether it opens, homes and reports state correctly. Custom grippers can also be mounted, but payload, mechanical interface, power, communications and software compatibility must be checked.
A listing photograph is not proof that the gripper is included. Ask for an inventory and a live demonstration of arm and hand operation. For manipulation research, missing fingers or a worn hand can materially reduce the value of the system. Budget for custom fingertips and spare wear parts if the application handles specialised objects. List every accessory by part number and identify which items are consumable, optional or application-specific.
Small missing components can stop commissioning, and third-party additions may affect payload, sensing, hygiene, software compatibility or warranty. Budget for spares and routine care at the same time as the base product. The operating experience depends on replacement parts, cleaning, cables, tools or covers remaining available after the initial demonstration.
Yes. Integrated torque sensors in all seven joints and access through FCI make Panda suitable for force control, compliant motion, insertion, surface following and contact-rich research. The robot can estimate external forces and support impedance or torque-control strategies. Successful contact tasks still require controller expertise, suitable end tooling, calibration, stable real-time communication and conservative safety limits.
Torque sensing does not make an arbitrary force programme safe or accurate. A used arm may also have calibration drift or mechanical wear that affects contact performance. Run diagnostic tests and validate the intended controller on the exact unit before purchase. For production use, assess whether a research platform provides the uptime, certification and support required by the process.
Ask for a demonstration using the real task or user profile and document the success criteria. This keeps the Franka Emika Panda page commercially useful and prevents a technically possible feature from being described as a ready-to-run outcome. The final decision should include support, training, maintenance and recovery from common faults. Those operational details often determine whether the Franka Emika Panda remains useful after the initial setup or novelty period.
Panda’s lightweight structure, torque sensing, collision detection and configurable limits can support collaborative research and shared-space applications.
However, the robot is not automatically safe in every programme. A sharp tool, heavy gripper, unstable object, high speed or low-level torque controller can create impact, crushing or ejection hazards. The complete application needs a risk assessment, safe speed and force settings, emergency-stop access and validated behaviour during communication loss or software faults. FCI gives researchers powerful control and therefore greater responsibility. Used equipment should be checked for functioning brakes, safety signals and activation devices.
Do not rely on the word collaborative instead of validating the task and local machinery requirements. Any health, care or collaborative claim should remain within the manufacturer’s documented intended use. Anton Robots should distinguish emotional engagement or safety features from clinical effectiveness, regulatory approval or a guarantee that every deployment is risk-free. Deployment should include documented supervision, consent or operator training, cleaning, incident reporting and a review of the surrounding environment. The product’s design can reduce certain risks, but it does not transfer responsibility away from the buyer or care provider.
Request the arm and controller serial numbers, hardware revision, manufacturing date, operating hours if available, service history, system image, software compatibility and proof that the unit boots without errors. Confirm that the control cabinet, cables, activation device, mounting hardware and Franka Hand are included.
Test every joint, brakes, homing, torque readings, FCI connection, Desk access and emergency stop. Look for collision damage, cable wear, joint noise and repeated faults. Verify that accounts, passwords and licences can be transferred and that the institution can obtain support or parts. A complete live test with a simple libfranka example is more valuable than a powered-on photograph. Shipping should use the correct transport posture and packaging.
Before committing, ask for written confirmation of the exact Franka Emika Panda version, regional warranty, lead time and responsibility for support. This prevents a base-product listing from being confused with a complete, locally supported package and gives Anton Robots a defensible commercial answer.
Panda can use ROS and libfranka, but compatibility is tied closely to the installed system image and legacy support matrix. Older systems may work best with ROS 1 and specific libfranka releases, while current Franka development increasingly targets FR3 and ROS 2.
Do not assume the newest software can be installed on every Panda. Identify the exact robot software version first, then build a compatible workstation or containerised environment. Preserve a known-working image and source code before changing dependencies. Researchers planning new ROS 2 projects should compare the maintenance burden with buying FR3. The legacy ecosystem remains valuable, but it requires disciplined version management rather than automatic updates.
Ask for current documentation, licences, example code and a verified connection test with the intended computer or network. A product may support an interface in principle while a particular generation, region or package lacks the required option. For organisational use, assign ownership of accounts, updates, credentials and data retention. The technical feature is only useful when the buyer can maintain it securely and reproduce the configuration after a computer, phone or controller is replaced.
Buy a used Panda when budget is constrained, the unit is complete and tested, and your project specifically depends on the older hardware or software ecosystem. Buy Franka Research 3 when warranty, current support, ROS 2 development, multi-year availability and lower lifecycle risk matter. The robots share a familiar 3 kg, 855 mm, seven-axis research format, so the decision is less about basic reach and more about support and compatibility.
Calculate the cost of engineering time, repairs, spare units and software maintenance, not only the purchase price. A cheap legacy arm can be expensive if a failed component stops a research programme. Anton Robots can help compare a verified used package with a current FR3 quote. A serious comparison should record currency, tax basis, delivery location, included hardware and after-sales route. Anton Robots should only present the Franka Emika Panda as purchasable under the commercial conditions that can actually be verified for the buyer.
Before committing, ask for written confirmation of the exact Franka Emika Panda version, regional warranty, lead time and responsibility for support. This prevents a base-product listing from being confused with a complete, locally supported package and gives Anton Robots a defensible commercial answer.
A functional Panda setup requires the arm, Franka Control cabinet, robot and mains cables, activation device, Ethernet connection, compatible workstation and software environment. Most applications also need a gripper or custom tool, mounting plate, workbench, fixtures, cameras and appropriate safety controls.
Low-level FCI control may require a dedicated real-time-capable network and computer configuration. A used system should include software access, backups and documentation, not only hardware. For contact tasks, add calibrated tools and force-validation procedures. For vision research, budget for cameras, lighting and synchronisation. Request an itemised package so missing legacy components do not appear after purchase.
Before deployment, define the intended result, operating limits and person responsible for daily use. A short pilot with representative users, products or conditions is more reliable than assuming that a marketing demonstration will transfer directly to the buyer’s environment. Ask for a demonstration using the real task or user profile and document the success criteria. This keeps the Franka Emika Panda page commercially useful and prevents a technically possible feature from being described as a ready-to-run outcome.
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