A new wheeled robot may reach homes before many humanoid robots are ready for everyday use. Hello Robot's Stretch 4 rolls instead of walking. That practical choice could make it more useful in real homes, which have rugs, cords, pets, narrow hallways, and tight corners.
Stretch 4 uses a lifting column and extendable arm to reach objects at different heights. It is designed for safe movement and practical assistance in homes and workplaces. The robot's omnidirectional base allows it to move in any direction without turning first, helping it navigate tight spaces.
Stretch 4 includes lidar, cameras, and a wrist-mounted depth camera for obstacle avoidance and object handling. It also features force limiting, collision avoidance, tilt avoidance, and a dedicated runstop button. The robot costs $29,950 and is currently intended for research and development, with home pilot deployments planned.
Hello Robot has worked with Henry Evans, who is paralyzed, to test assistive robots. For someone who cannot walk, a stable wheeled robot may offer more benefit than a legged one. This approach could make Stretch 4 one of the first truly helpful home robots.