FAQ

Do you support ROS?

Yes. We provide support for several de facto standards in ROS. Our robots come with a complete URDF and have been tested with a number of ROS packages. Stretch supports the standard ROS navigation stack, including move_base, gmapping, and AMCL. Stretch also provides a joint trajectory action server that can be used to move all of Stretch’s controllable joints, including its mobile base.

What if I don’t plan to use ROS?

Stretch also comes with a low-level Python interface to allow direct command of its motor controllers and access to its sensors.

What autonomous capabilities does Stretch come with?

Stretch comes with demo code for a number of autonomous capabilities for navigation, mapping, and manipulation. Learn more about autonomous capabilities here.

What if I want to attach my own hardware to Stretch?

There are a number of ways to extend Stretch through its numerous mounting points, USB-2, and power expansion ports. For example:

  • Attach a tablet or camera to the head

  • Add one or more USB ML accelerators in the Base Trunk

  • Add a custom Dynamixel based wrist or gripper to the wrist

  • Add an analog sensor to the wrist through its Arduino expansion port

Be sure to check out the Tool Share for examples of extending Stretch’s hardware.

How durable is Stretch?

We’ve done quite a bit of durability testing at the subsystem level (many 10s of thousands of loaded cycles). If something does break, many of its subsystems can be replaced on-site by a motivated grad student. Its compact size also has the advantage that it is easy to box it up and ship it back to us for a warranty repair.

What should I do if I require support?

We encourage all users to use the Community Forum as the first place to go with questions. Hello Robot support closely monitors the forum and will address your question in the forum ASAP. This allows all users to share in the answer to your question.

If the robot requires service that cannot be handled through the Community Forum, contact us at support@hello-robot.com.

What is your warranty policy?

Please see our Terms of Sale for the detailed warranty policy.

In summary, Hello Robot provides a limited 1 year warranty with all of its products. This warranty includes at no cost:

  • Access to our online support forum

  • Support email and video calls with our technical team

  • Repair of the product at Hello Robot facilities

  • Replacement of parts and even the entire robot

  • Return shipping of a repaired robot from Hello Robot to the customer

What is your open source policy?

We understand the importance of open source within the robotics community. Our research line of products are open source from top to bottom. We use OSI-approved licenses for Hello Robot’s code when possible. Sometimes license compatibility will require an alternative.

Are your products available outside of the U.S.?

We are currently selling to the U.S market. For countries outside of the U.S. we will need to evaluate on a case by case basis if it is allowed given the product’s current certifications and intended use.

What certifications does the robot have?

Unless otherwise stated, Hello Robot’s products are not subjected to any kind of compliance testing nor are the products certified to meet any particular requirements, such as requirements related to EMI, EMC, or ESD.

The Stretch Research Edition 1 (Stretch RE1) is only intended for use by researchers in areas such as industrial plants, public utilities, hospitals, universities, laboratories, automotive service centers and electronic repair shops. 

The Stretch RE1 is not intended for use by consumers nor is it intended for use in homes or residential environments.

The Stretch RE1 is a Class A digital device and an unintentional radiator. The Stretch RE1 comes with an unmodified Intel NUC computer, which is an FCC certified intentional radiator.

Per FCC 47 CFR, Part 15, Subpart A, Section 15.3 (h), Hello Robot states that the Stretch RE1 is a Class A digital device. A Class A digital device is defined to be a “digital device that is marketed for use in a commercial, industrial or business environment, exclusive of a device which is marketed for use by the general public or is intended to be used in the home.”

Per FCC 47 CFR, Part 15, Subpart B, section 15.103(c), Hello Robot states that the Stretch RE1 is an exempted device, since it is a digital device used exclusively as industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment, where test equipment is equipment intended primarily for purposes of performing scientific investigations.

OET BULLETIN NO. 62, titled “UNDERSTANDING THE FCC REGULATIONS FOR COMPUTERS AND OTHER DIGITAL DEVICES” from December 1993 provides further clarification of the Section 15.103(c) exemption: “Test equipment includes devices used for maintenance, research, evaluation, simulation and other analytical or scientific applications in areas such as industrial plants, public utilities, hospitals, universities, laboratories, automotive service centers and electronic repair shops.”

Hello Robot does not test the Stretch RE1 to meet any requirements of FCC 47 CFR, Part 15.

Per FCC 47 CFR, Part 18, Subpart A, Section 18.115, the Customer assumes responsibility for the elimination and investigation of any harmful interference.