Boston Dynamics' robot Stretch is commercially available. Stretch is an autonomous robot built on a mobile platform and equipped with a robotic arm with vacuum gripper. The robot can move goods in warehouses.
Boston Dynamics is a company known for its robots Atlas and Spot, among others. Atlas is a robot that stands on two legs just like humans. The robot is known from several videos, among others. In these, Atlas demonstrates how it can navigate over all kinds of obstacles and terrain. For example, Boston Dynamics previously showed how Atlas runs over a course of various obstacles.
Spot
Another example is Spot, an agile mobile robot that can navigate over various terrain. Spot is aimed, among other things, at automated routine inspections and measurement data collection. Spot can carry up to 14kg of equipment. The robot can be controlled remotely via a tablet, with the driver watching via stereo cameras. It is also possible to programme repeated autonomous missions to collect data as consistently as possible.
In a recent video, Boston Dynamics shows how energy company National Grid in the United States (US) deploys Spot for inspections. In doing so, the deployment of the robots enhances employee safety.
Stretch
Now Boston Dynamics is bringing Stretch to market commercially. This robot has been in development for some time. DHL, Gap, H&M and Maersk - all of which have now purchased Stretch robots - have been testing the robots since spring 2021.
Stretch is specifically designed to load and unload truck trailers and containers. The robot can then move these goods within warehouses and distribution centres. Stretch is able to independently recognise boxes, which can weigh up to 22.7kg. The robot picks up these boxes using a custom-made vacuum gripper. The robot arm has seven degrees of freedom.
Self-correcting errors
It also features a camera system, which allows Stretch to monitor its surroundings. This not only helps it pick up boxes, but also allows Stretch to detect if it has dropped a box. Characteristically, Stretch independently decides how best to pick up and move boxes. There is no need to specify in advance the size of boxes Stretch needs to handle. The boxes Stretch can recognise and handle range from standard brown boxes to graphically dressed boxes.
Does it turn out that Stretch has unexpectedly dropped a box or that, for example, a box has shifted in a container? Then the robot can pick up this box again without human intervention and rectify the error.
Scalable solution
"Labour shortages and supply chain bottlenecks create challenges to keep the flow of goods moving," says Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. "Stretch makes logistics operations more efficient and predictable, and improves safety by taking over one of the most physically demanding tasks in the warehouse. Many of our early adopters have already made the decision to roll out the robot at scale. We are therefore excited that Stretch will soon be able to do wider work, helping retailers and logistics companies cope with the continuously increasing demand for goods."
Availability
Companies can order Stretch from Boston Dynamics with immediate effect. Pointing to high demand from customers, the company reports that all units deliverable in 2022 are already sold out. Those who reserve a Stretch now can expect delivery in 2023 or 2024.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Spot by Boston Dynamics (screenshot of YouTube video from 2019)
