Rethink Robotics Inks Three New Partnerships to Satisfy its Global Demand in the Research and Education Markets

BOSTON, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rethink Robotics, a leading provider of interactive robots for research and education, has partnered with three new distributors to deliver the Baxter Research Robot to more universities, schools and corporate R&D labs worldwide. North American-based RobotShop and Teq, and Shanghai-based Gaitech International are the newest additions to Rethink Robotics' roster of distributors.

With users in more than 18 countries across five continents, the Baxter Research Robot is shaping the future of robotics, developing real-world applications in manufacturing, healthcare, education and everyday life. These applications are also preparing the next-generation workforce to thrive in jobs that will inevitably demand skills grounded in robotics and technology.

"Students as young as 10 years old are training Baxter and developing the skills they'll need on the job from the very start of their education," said Scott Eckert, CEO of Rethink Robotics. "By the time they enter the workforce, robots will be integrated into nearly every industry, as we see in manufacturing today. These children will have an important advantage – experience – thanks to the K-12 schools, colleges and universities that are investing in robotics now."

Rethink Robotics' distributors are a critical channel for reaching more researchers, educators and students. Read more below about the newest distributors and why they chose to partner with Rethink Robotics.

RobotShop, Inc.
"As a distributor of robots and robotics-based services, we strive to provide the best products in the industry and the Baxter Research Robot is just that – an exciting and collaborative educational research tool driving innovation," said Mario Temblay, CEO of RobotShop, which serves the U.S. and Canada.

A distributor specializing in personal and professional robot technology, RobotShop offers the widest range of robotic products and services in the sector.

Teq, Inc.
"Our customers have demonstrated a rapidly growing interest in robots as an educational tool," said Damian Scarfo, CEO of Teq. "We pride ourselves on being a full-solution provider to the educational market, and our product offerings are now better than ever with the addition of the Baxter Research Robot."

Teq is not only giving U.S. educators the technology needed for the modern classroom, the company also provides world-renowned professional development services– helping teachers and administrators to create pathways for rigorous learning, student achievement, college readiness and student success.

Gaitech International
"Our customers in Asia are eager to be on the cutting edge of robotics education, research and development," said Jenssen Chang, CEO of Gaitech International. "Robotics already play a large part in the educational market and corporate R&D markets and that will only continue to grow. Providing Baxter Research Robots to the Asian market is a logical and important step in that growth."

Through their partnerships with key companies in this field, Gaitech is integrating, distributing and supporting a wide range of innovative robotics products based on ROS.

For more information about Rethink Robotics and the Baxter Research Robot please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com or follow us on Twitter.

About Rethink Robotics
Rethink Robotics, Inc. helps manufacturers meet the challenges of an agile economy with an integrated workforce, combining trainable, safe and cost-effective robots with skilled labor. Its Baxter robot, driven by Intera, an advanced software platform, gives world-class manufacturers and distributors in automotive, plastics, consumer goods, electronics and more, a workforce multiplier that optimizes labor. With Rethink Robotics, manufacturers increase flexibility, lower costs and can invest in skilled labor—all advantages in fueling continuous innovation and sustainable competitive advantage.

Committed to accelerating robotics innovation in manufacturing and beyond, Rethink Robotics' Baxter Research Robot gives academic and corporate research environments a humanoid robot platform with integrated sensors and an open software development kit for creating custom applications.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company is funded by Bezos Expeditions, Charles River Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Two Sigma Ventures. For more information about Rethink Robotics, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com.

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SOURCE Rethink Robotics, Inc.