DOBOT Nova 2

Overview

The Dobot Nova 2 is a 6-axis collaborative robot arm priced at $12,790, offering 2 kg payload capacity and 625 mm reach. Designed for light assembly, quality inspection, electronics handling, and laboratory automation, the Nova 2 positions itself as an accessible entry-level 6-axis cobot suitable for small and medium manufacturers exploring collaborative automation for the first time. The 6-axis kinematic configuration provides significantly more flexibility than 4-axis SCARA or delta robots, enabling complex path planning and operation in confined spaces.

Key Specifications

• Axes: 6
• Payload: 2 kg
• Reach: 625 mm
• Repeatability: ±0.05 mm
• Max TCP speed: 1.6 m/s
• Weight: 11 kg
• IP rating: IP54
• Price: $12,790

The Nova 2 uses Dobot's DobotSCStudio programming environment, which supports graphical block programming, Python scripting, and ROS integration. This range of programming interfaces makes the platform accessible to operators with varying technical backgrounds, from production engineers to academic researchers.

Use Cases

UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in electronics assembly, pharmaceutical packaging, and medical device manufacturing use the Nova 2 for tasks including component picking, reagent dispensing, and instrument calibration. The collaborative safety certification means it can operate in close proximity to workers in shared workspaces without fixed safety guarding, which is a significant benefit in space-constrained facilities.

Research laboratories use the Nova 2 as a cost-effective 6-axis platform for developing manipulation pipelines, computer vision integrations, and teaching robot programming to undergraduates without risking more expensive research-grade hardware.

Buying Used

Used Nova 2 units are available through secondary markets and Dobot distributors. The platform has been in production long enough for a modest second-hand supply to exist. Check joint health and perform a repeatability test before purchase to confirm the unit has not suffered significant wear from high-cycle industrial use.

Alternatives to Consider

• Dobot Nova 5 for higher payload at a modest price increment
• Universal Robots UR3e for a 3 kg payload cobot with broader end-effector ecosystem support
• Elephant Robotics Mercury A1 for a 7-axis desktop arm at a similar price