A computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm with a plurality of joints and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. The control unit is configured to send one or more first commands to a plurality of brakes in the articulated arm to begin a release of the plurality of brakes in a predetermined staggered manner, detect a disturbance in a point of interest of the computer-assisted device caused by each brake of the plurality of brakes as the brake is released, and send one or more second commands to the plurality of joints to compensate for the disturbance. In some embodiments, the one or more first commands prevent simultaneous release of two or more brakes of the plurality of brakes. In some embodiments, the one or more first commands cause brakes of the plurality of brakes to release within a predetermined time of each other.