How Boston Dynamic’s Stretch Robot is Evolving

Within the last year, Boston Dynamics has added several new features to Stretch that have improved its accuracy and throughput even more. The first guides Stretch to place boxes in a manner that conforms with upstream automation, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) within the warehouse. Another feature, called multipick, enables Stretch to grasp multiple smaller boxes at the same time, dramatically increasing the speed at which the robot unloads a container.

“The multipicking has really enabled us to achieve higher throughputs, especially with our smaller, lighter cartons,” said Rees. “It can even multipick some of the heavier cartons that our manual unloading team wouldn’t be capable of doing. It can combine two 16-pound boxes as one 32-pound bundle, whereas our manual unloading operations would never try something like that. It would be a little bit too bulky and unwieldy for them to do.”

Boston Dynamics has also worked with major manufacturers to enable Stretch to wirelessly control telescopic conveyors, so they extend and follow the robot further into the container as it progresses, or retracts as the robot backs up. Many companies now offer Stretch-ready kits in which the robot can plug directly into the conveyor system via a simple cable.

More Metrics, Better Planning

Stretch provides instantaneous metrics regarding the number of cases it has unloaded and at what pace. Rees said he has seen what Stretch is capable of, when the robot operated at a clip of 1,200 boxes per hour for some time. Because Stretch’s unload times are so predictable, Arvato can build in additional capacity to its schedule, especially during peak seasons when the timing of inbound truck deliveries can become erratic.

“Seasonal planning is very critical to Arvato operations,” said Miller. “There are often unknowns in the supply chain. With Stretch being very consistent on its unload rate, we can plan additional capacities where we need them. We can also plan for off hours where we may not have a scheduled shift in place, with just one operator putting Stretch into a truck.”

The Missing Piece

Arvato is eager to invest in emerging technologies, including vision systems, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Stretch is that missing piece that will enable Arvato to offer clients automated solutions from end to end.

“Arvato is the most technology driven 3PL logistics provider,” said Rees. “We really invest heavily in our robotics and automation because we know that’s what it’s going to take to move us into the future and to stay competitive and to have an advantage over the other logistics companies out there. The workers really love having Stretch as a colleague. In fact, I’ve heard a few of them say that Stretch draws a short straw every day and is the one that has to go into the container to unload the boxes.”