Choosing between two collaborative robots can be difficult when one is built for lighter precision work and the other for heavier industrial tasks. The Rethink Robotics Sawyer and the AUBO i10 are both industrial robotics cobots, but they start from different places. The Sawyer comes as a working collaborative robot with tooling included. The AUBO i10 is a robotic arm assembly designed for a higher workload. This head-to-head helps you decide which fits your application and budget.
Quick verdict
If your work is pick-and-place, machine tending, light assembly, or STEM education, the Rethink Robotics Sawyer is a practical all-in-one choice. If you need a higher payload for welding, packing, or heavier automation, the AUBO i10 is the stronger option.
Side-by-side comparison
| Consideration | Rethink Robotics Sawyer | AUBO i10 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 6,995.00 | USD 22,000.00 |
| Payload | 4 kg | 10 kg |
| Axis count | 7-axis | 6-axis |
| Condition | Used | New - Open box |
| Highlights | Electric parallel gripper, built-in vision, joint force sensing | Certified safety functions, hand guide operation |
Where each product wins
The Sawyer wins on included tooling; its package is more complete for lighter pick-and-place and inspection setups. The AUBO i10 wins on payload capacity and new-open-box condition. Its 10 kg payload is more than double the Sawyer's 4 kg, which opens up welding and packing applications that need more lifting capacity.
Product notes
Rethink Robotics Sawyer
The Sawyer is a good fit when your automation stays on the lighter side and you want a more complete first cobot. The package includes the electric parallel gripper, built-in vision, and force sensing in every joint, so a machine-tending or inspection cell can be assembled around the robot as delivered. You also get two programming routes: Rethink's Intera 5.3 software for guided setup and an SDK mode with ROS for more custom control. The main limitations are the lighter payload and the used condition, so you will want to plan around the capacity and account for a pre-owned unit. With a 900 mm reach, it covers access to CNC machines and inspection stations, but larger or heavier parts will not fit within its capacity.
AUBO i10
The AUBO i10 is the arm to pick when payload is the deciding factor. Its higher payload supports heavier tooling and workpieces for welding, packing, and other industrial automation, and the six-axis design gives the motion flexibility those tasks need. It includes certified safety functions, hand guide operation, and power-and-force limiting, which makes human-robot collaboration more practical. The trade-off is the higher price, so it is a bigger commitment up front. For teams that need room to grow and plan to add their own end-of-arm tooling for specific processes, the i10 is the more capable foundation.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Rethink Robotics Sawyer if you are setting up CNC machine tending, parts inspection, or pick-and-place work with lighter parts and you want a more complete package.
Choose the AUBO i10 if you are planning welding, packing, or other industrial automation that needs more lifting capacity.
If the decision still feels close, let payload be the tiebreaker. The i10 can lift more than twice the Sawyer's listed capacity, and that gap determines which tasks each cobot can realistically handle.
