Stretch

Name: Stretch
Brand: Boston Dynamics

Mobile robot for automated warehouse box moving

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Stretch is a mobile robot designed specifically for warehouse automation and logistics operations. It combines an omnidirectional mobile base with a multi-jointed arm and custom gripper to autonomously unload trucks and containers. The robot is built for high-throughput case handling in distribution centers and warehouses, capable of moving up to 800 boxes per hour.

Released: 2021

Overview

Stretch represents Boston Dynamics' entry into the warehouse automation market, focusing on one of the most labor-intensive tasks in logistics: truck unloading. Unlike the company's better-known mobile robots Spot and Atlas, Stretch is purpose-built for commercial warehouse operations rather than research or inspection applications. The robot features an omnidirectional mobile base that allows it to navigate warehouse environments, a lightweight telescoping arm with over 3 meters of vertical reach, and a smart gripper system with integrated sensing.

Designed to work alongside human workers in existing warehouse infrastructure, Stretch requires no modifications to facilities or changes to box types. The robot uses advanced computer vision and machine learning to identify and handle boxes of varying sizes, weights, and packaging materials. Its compact mobile base allows it to maneuver in tight spaces between trailers and loading docks.

Boston Dynamics developed Stretch in response to the growing demand for flexible automation in logistics, particularly addressing the challenges of truck unloading which has remained largely manual despite advances in other warehouse automation technologies. The robot is designed to operate continuously in multi-shift environments, with the goal of increasing throughput while reducing workplace injuries associated with repetitive lifting tasks.

Key Features

Omnidirectional mobile base: Enables precise positioning and maneuvering in constrained warehouse spaces without additional infrastructure
Telescoping arm with 3.3m reach: Lightweight design allows access to boxes deep inside trailers and containers at varying heights
Advanced computer vision system: Identifies and assesses boxes in real-time using 2D LiDAR and depth cameras for efficient planning
Custom vacuum gripper: Handles boxes up to 23 kg with integrated force sensing to adapt to different packaging materials and conditions
High throughput capability: Moves up to 800 boxes per hour in optimal conditions for continuous warehouse operations
Fleet management system: Integrates with warehouse management software and coordinates multiple robots for scalable automation

Applications

Stretch is primarily deployed in distribution centers, warehouses, and logistics facilities for truck and container unloading operations. Major logistics companies and retailers have adopted Stretch to automate the labor-intensive process of depalletizing and moving boxes from delivery vehicles to conveyor systems or staging areas. The robot excels in environments with high box volumes and variable workloads, where its flexibility allows it to adapt to different trailer configurations and box types without reprogramming.

Beyond truck unloading, Stretch can be deployed for order building, pallet building, and other case-handling tasks within warehouses. Its mobile design allows facilities to redeploy robots to different locations based on demand, making it suitable for facilities with seasonal fluctuations or multiple operational zones requiring flexible automation solutions.

Technical Highlights

Stretch incorporates several technical innovations from Boston Dynamics' robotics research, including advanced perception algorithms that enable the robot to operate in the visually complex and dynamic environment inside trailers. The robot's vision system can detect boxes even in poorly lit conditions, with varying orientations, and in densely packed configurations. The gripper system uses a combination of vacuum suction and intelligent pressure control to adapt grip strength based on box characteristics, preventing damage to packages while ensuring secure handling.

The mobile base leverages sophisticated motion planning and localization technology to navigate safely around human workers and obstacles. Stretch's lightweight arm design maximizes reach while minimizing energy consumption, and the telescoping mechanism allows the robot to extend deep into trailers without requiring a large mobile footprint. The system's software architecture enables continuous learning, with fleet-level data sharing that improves performance across all deployed units as they encounter new scenarios and box types.