🇺🇸 Rethink Robotics

About Rethink Robotics

Rethink Robotics was founded in 2008 by Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot and one of the most influential figures in modern robotics. The company raised significant venture capital and launched Baxter in 2012 as one of the first collaborative robots designed to work safely alongside humans without safety caging. Sawyer, a single-arm precision cobot, followed in 2015. Rethink's Intera software platform was notable for its task-level programming approach, allowing operators to train robots through demonstration rather than traditional code.

Despite early commercial promise, Rethink Robotics ceased US operations in October 2018 citing inability to reach required commercial scale against growing competition from Universal Robots. The technology and brand were acquired by HAHN Automation Group of Germany, which relaunched Rethink in Europe with continued production of the Sawyer platform and Intera software. The Baxter platform was formally discontinued in 2019 under HAHN ownership.

Rethink under HAHN maintained a presence in European cobot markets, particularly in Germany and the UK, though at reduced commercial momentum compared with its Boston-era ambitions.

Key Products

• Sawyer: 7-DoF single-arm cobot; 4 kg payload, integrated force sensing, Intera software (still sold/supported under HAHN)
• Baxter: Dual-arm research and light production cobot; discontinued, legacy software support limited

UK Market Presence

Under HAHN, Rethink Robotics maintained UK sales through its European distribution network. UK integrators previously certified for Baxter and Sawyer deployments continue to provide service support. New Sawyer deployments in the UK are available through HAHN-authorised channels. Pricing for Sawyer is approximately £25,000 to £35,000 depending on configuration.

Buying Used Rethink Robotics Equipment

Used Baxter and Sawyer units are relatively common on the UK secondhand market through eBay, Surplex, and specialist robot resellers, typically priced at £3,000 to £10,000. Baxter buyers should note that the Intera 3 software is no longer actively updated and cloud-based features are limited. Sawyer under HAHN retains better software support. Check joint actuator condition, inspect the force-torque sensors, and verify that the computer system boots to the Intera interface before purchase.