A robotic cutting system including a robotic manipulator and a cutting tool coupled to the robotic manipulator. The cutting tool comprises a saw blade. A controller is also coupled to the robotic manipulator. The controller is configured to control operation of the robotic manipulator, the cutting tool, and/or another cutting tool, to cut the bone in an initial stage of cutting until a notch is created in the bone at a predetermined depth. A final stage of cutting is then completed by cutting along the cutting plane.
