Choosing a collaborative robot for your production line isn't just about the sticker price. You might need a sealed new arm for a clean startup, an open-box unit with serious payload, or a used 7-axis system with a gripper already in place. These four arms - the AUBO i10, the Omron TM5-700, and two Rethink Robotics Sawyer setups - stake out very different positions in the industrial robotics cobots space. The decision comes down to how much weight you need to move, how much you want to spend, and whether you're willing to buy used.
Quick Take
At the top of the range, the AUBO i10 is listed as New - Open Box and offers the strongest lifting capability in this group. The Omron TM5-700 is New in an unopened box, with built-in vision-based control for assembly and inspection. Both Rethink Sawyer systems are used, share the same 7-axis design and 900 mm reach, and differ mainly in included extras and runtime hours. One Sawyer includes a gripper and a refreshed BIOS battery; the other has under 1,400 runtime hours and new filters.
Price Comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Payload | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUBO i10 collaborative robot | USD 22,000.00 | 10 kg | New - Open box | |
| Omron Collaborative Robot - TM5-700 | USD 16,500.00 | 6 kg | New | |
| Rethink Robotics Sawyer Collaborative Robot - New Bios (Gripper Included | USD 6,995.00 | 4 kg | Used | |
| Rethink Robotics Sawyer Collaborative Robot with under 1,400 Runtime Hrs | USD 5,595.00 | 4 kg | Used |
Decision Matrix
Match the robot to your operation:
- Heavy part handling, welding, or packing: The AUBO i10's larger payload and 6-axis motion make it the choice for heavier workpieces.
- Clean new startup with vision for inspection or logistics: The Omron TM5-700 brings built-in vision, graphical programming, and a plug-and-play ecosystem.
- Machine tending, CNC loading, or education when you want to keep initial spend lower: Either Sawyer works, but the one with the gripper gives you a more complete package for pick-and-place tasks.
- Lowest possible entry price with low runtime: The Sawyer with under 1,400 runtime hours is the least expensive arm in this group.
This matrix is not a ranking; it's a way to map your application to the arm's listed strengths.
Product Notes
AUBO i10 collaborative robot
The AUBO i10 is the only arm in this comparison listed as New - Open box, and it carries the highest payload at 10 kg. Its six-axis design and collaborative safety features make it a fit for industrial automation applications like welding and packing, and the description highlights safe human-robot interaction. If your workcell revolves around moving heavier parts, this is the arm with the most headroom. The trade-off is the open-box condition: it's not a sealed new arm like the Omron, which matters if you need a strictly pristine unit.
Omron Collaborative Robot - TM5-700 - #RT6-0007021; NEW UNOPENED BOX
The Omron TM5-700 is the only robot in this group that is listed as New in an unopened box. It combines a 6 kg payload with built-in vision-based robot control, which enables visual servoing, inspections, and measurement. The graphical programming environment is designed for quick startup, and the plug-and-play ecosystem supports communication protocols like EtherNet/IP, PROFINET Slave, and MODBUS. That makes it a strong candidate for assembly, packaging, inspection, and logistics tasks. The main limitation is its 700 mm reach, which is shorter than the 900 mm reach on both Sawyer models; if your workcell needs a longer horizontal span, this arm may not stretch far enough.
Rethink Robotics Sawyer Collaborative Robot - New Bios (Gripper Included
This Sawyer stands out because the listing includes an electric parallel gripper, so you get a more complete pick-and-place setup without sourcing end-of-arm tooling separately. It's a used 7-axis robot with force sensing in each joint, a built-in vision system, and a 900 mm reach. The 4 kg payload is lower than both the AUBO and Omron, but the arm is well-suited for machine tending, CNC loading, inspection placement, and similar tasks. The BIOS battery in the controller box has been recently changed, which is a useful maintenance signal. The limitation is the used condition: despite the maintained battery, it's still a pre-owned unit.
Rethink Robotics Sawyer Collaborative Robot with under 1,400 Runtime Hrs
This Sawyer is defined by its low runtime: under 1,400 hours. The package includes the robot arm, controller box, pedestal, cables, and E-stop, and it has the same 900 mm reach, 7-axis design, and built-in vision as the other Sawyer. The listing also notes that the BIOS battery has been recently changed and new filters installed, which are two signs of recent service. It's aimed at machine tending, part placement on inspection systems, and pick-and-place work. The limitation is the 4 kg payload, which is the lightest in the group; if you're handling anything close to that limit or above, you'll need to look at the AUBO or Omron.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
For maximum payload, the AUBO i10 at USD 22,000 is the clear pick for heavier lifting tasks like welding and packing. It's the most expensive option, but it offers the strongest lifting capability in this comparison.
For a new-in-box arm with integrated vision, the Omron TM5-700 at USD 16,500 gives you a sealed, unopened arm with built-in vision-based control, graphical programming, and a plug-and-play ecosystem. It's the middle-priced option and a strong fit for inspection-heavy assembly and logistics.
For a used arm with a gripper included, the Rethink Robotics Sawyer - New Bios (Gripper Included) at USD 6,995 is the most complete used package, with a gripper, 900 mm reach, and a recently changed BIOS battery. It's a solid choice for pick-and-place and machine tending.
For the lowest listed price, the Rethink Robotics Sawyer with under 1,400 Runtime Hrs at USD 5,595 is the least expensive way into a collaborative robot. It has the same reach and 7-axis design as the other Sawyer, making it a practical entry point.
