Hello Robot, a California-based robotics startup, is taking a different approach to home robotics with the latest version of its Stretch robot, focusing on practical assistance and human control rather than fully autonomous humanoid machines.
The company released the fourth generation of Stretch last month and expects to manufacture between 200 and 300 units this year.
Designed for homes, not laboratories
Founded in 2017 by former Google robotics director Aaron Edsinger and Georgia Institute of Technology professor Charlie Kemp, Hello Robot is targeting real-world deployment.
Unlike many robotics companies pursuing humanoid designs, Stretch uses:
- A wheeled omnidirectional base
- A telescoping arm
- Pincher-style grippers
- A sensor-equipped head
The company has emphasized safety and human supervision rather than complete autonomy.
“Being in control is a feature — it’s desired to be embodied in the robot,” engineer Blaine Matulevich told TechCrunch.
Helping people regain independence
One of Stretch’s users is Keith Platt, who became quadriplegic in 2021.
Platt controls the robot through a voice-operated iPhone app. The robot can move autonomously around his home before he takes over direct control to perform tasks.
Among the activities he has learned to do independently are:
- Preparing a protein shake
- Putting on and removing reading glasses
- Brushing his teeth
“When we first started out with that activity, it took me independently — no one there — almost two hours,” Platt said, referring to making a protein shake.
Eventually, he reduced the process to a few minutes.
Platt said robotic assistants could help people with mobility challenges spend more time at home without constant assistance from family members or professional caregivers.
Simpler hardware, safer design
Stretch is not a humanoid robot, and that is intentional.
The company believes a simpler design offers advantages in safety and reliability.
Researchers say robotics companies face significant hardware challenges, including heavy limbs and the risk of damaging objects when errors occur.
Mahi Shafiullah, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, said many current robotic systems remain unsuitable for home environments.
“The state of hardware today is actually abysmal from the perspective of, ‘I want to have robots in my parents’ place,'” he told TechCrunch.
Shafiullah previously used an earlier generation of Stretch during his doctoral research at New York University.
Price and customers
Stretch 4 is priced at $30,000.
The first production run has already sold out.
Customers include:
- Researchers developing AI systems
- Enterprises testing robotics applications in data centers
- Teams building assistive technologies for people with disabilities
Edsinger said the robot was designed to be shipped in a standard cardboard box via carriers such as UPS and DHL, avoiding the higher costs associated with specialized transportation and installation.
Looking ahead
Hello Robot plans to continue refining the platform.
The company hopes future versions will become more capable and less expensive, helping advance the use of robots in homes.
Researchers also see value in Stretch’s ability to safely collect real-world data, which could support the development of more sophisticated AI systems.
TL;DR
Hello Robot has launched the fourth generation of its Stretch robot, focusing on practical home assistance and safety rather than humanoid designs. The $30,000 robot is already being used by researchers and people with mobility challenges.
AI summary
- Hello Robot released the fourth generation of its Stretch robot.
- The company focuses on safe, practical home assistance.
- Stretch 4 costs $30,000 and the first production run has sold out.
- Users include researchers and people with disabilities.
- The startup plans further improvements to reduce costs and add capabilities.
