Rethink Robotics is making a fresh start in Boston, unveiling a revamped lineup of collaborative robot arms, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and a mobile manipulator. The company, once a pioneering force in collaborative robots (cobots), shut down in 2018 after raising $150 million and developing its well-known Baxter and Sawyer robots. Now under new ownership, Rethink Robotics is determined to compete in the rapidly evolving robotics market.
A Comeback with New Ownership
Rethink Robotics originally gained recognition for its innovative cobots but faced challenges with precision due to its use of series elastic actuators, a technology licensed from MIT. After the company closed, German automation firm HAHN Group acquired Rethink’s intellectual property and trademarks, including the Sawyer cobot. Despite attempts to retool the Sawyer, it struggled to gain traction in industrial settings.
Now operating under United Robotics Group, a subsidiary of HAHN, Rethink is banking on its return to Boston—a city known for its thriving robotics ecosystem. While the company currently has an office at MassRobotics, it plans to establish a larger presence in the city within the next six months.
“Everyone associates Rethink Robotics with Boston,” said Julia Astrid Riemenschneider, VP of Business Development at United Robotics Group. “We’re excited to be back.”
The New Reacher Cobot Lineup
Rethink Robotics is leaving its Baxter and Sawyer models behind with the introduction of its new Reacher cobot series. The new line consists of seven models—RE 07, 09, 13, 16, 21, 30, and 30L—designed for various industrial applications. These cobots can handle payloads ranging from 7 kg to 30 kg and are built to operate in demanding environments, with an IP65 rating for protection against dust and moisture.
The Reacher cobots are equipped with advanced features such as collision detection, high precision (± 0.03 mm pose repeatability), and compatibility with a variety of peripherals like grippers and vision systems. They can be used for tasks like assembly, material handling, palletizing, and quality inspection.
Entering the Mobile Robotics Market
In a new direction for the company, Rethink Robotics has introduced its first line of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) under the Ryder brand. These AMRs come in two models: the light-duty MRE 550, capable of carrying up to 550 kg, and the heavy-duty MRE 1400, designed for payloads of up to 1,400 kg. Both models feature integrated lift functions and use multiple sensing technologies for real-time environmental awareness, including SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) for obstacle avoidance and trajectory planning.
Rethink’s AMRs are designed with open-architecture software, allowing third-party applications to integrate seamlessly. This move signals the company's intention to diversify beyond cobots and into the increasingly competitive AMR market.
The Riser Mobile Manipulator: A Hybrid Innovation
Rethink is also introducing the Riser mobile manipulator, which combines a Ryder AMR with a Reacher cobot. This hybrid system allows the cobot arm to be easily detached and re-attached to the AMR, providing flexibility for tasks that require both mobility and manipulation. The Riser system includes separate battery packs for the cobot and the AMR, with up to 22 hours of uptime for the Reacher arm and inductive wireless charging for the Ryder AMR.
This combination of technologies reflects Rethink’s strategy to provide integrated solutions for complex industrial tasks that require both autonomous mobility and precision manipulation.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the fresh start, Rethink Robotics faces stiff competition in the cobot and AMR markets. Universal Robots, based in Boston and owned by Massachusetts-based Teradyne, remains the market leader, while other heavyweights like ABB, FANUC, and KUKA have also made significant advancements in collaborative robotics. Rethink’s new lineup aims to address the shortcomings of its earlier models, such as issues with precision and noise, positioning the company to better compete in an industry that has advanced rapidly since 2018.
Rethink’s new slogan, "Better, faster, stronger," reflects the company’s renewed focus on delivering industrial-grade cobots and mobile robots that can meet the demands of modern manufacturing environments.
As Rethink Robotics reestablishes itself in Boston, its success will depend on how well its new offerings can differentiate from established players and address the evolving needs of industrial automation.
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