Stretch

Overview

The Boston Dynamics Stretch is a purpose-built warehouse case-unloading robot designed to tackle one of the most physically demanding and injury-prone tasks in logistics: unloading truck trailers and shipping containers. Developed by the same team behind the Spot quadruped, Stretch brings Boston Dynamics' expertise in dynamic manipulation to a stationary industrial setting. It carries a 23 kg payload capacity and operates at up to 0.5 m/s, making it well suited for sustained trailer unloading shifts where human workers typically face significant ergonomic strain.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 23 kg per pick cycle
• Operating speed: 0.5 m/s
• Form factor: Mobile base with a high-reach arm and vacuum-based end effector
• Vision system: Onboard depth cameras for case detection and stack mapping
• Price: Approximately $200,000 (USD)

The robot uses a smart vision system to identify cases of varying sizes and orientations within a trailer, plan pick sequences, and place them onto a conveyor or sortation belt. It is designed to work continuously through a full trailer unload without fatigue.

Use Cases

Stretch is deployed primarily in large distribution centres and fulfilment hubs where trailer unloading volumes are high and labour availability is constrained. UK warehouse operators handling grocery, retail, and parcel fulfilment flows have shown particular interest, as trailer unloading represents a consistent bottleneck that is difficult to automate with fixed conveyor infrastructure alone.

The robot integrates with warehouse management systems (WMS) via Boston Dynamics' software stack, enabling automated task assignment and productivity reporting. Pick rates depend heavily on case mix, but operators typically quote 800 cases per hour as a target throughput.

Buying Used

There is currently no meaningful secondary market for Stretch units. The platform launched commercially in 2022, and most deployed units remain under active service contracts with Boston Dynamics. Fleet operators would be unlikely to sell individual units. Prospective buyers should approach Boston Dynamics directly for new unit pricing and deployment scoping.

Alternatives to Consider

• Mujin TruckBot for trailer unloading via a different kinematic architecture
• Covariant RPC for depalletisation and mixed-SKU picking within the warehouse floor
• OTTO Motors AMRs combined with fixed conveyor for partial automation of receiving flows