In 2010, Henry Evans, who became quadriplegic after a stroke-like attack, saw the PR2 robot on TV and envisioned it as a transformative tool for his life. This led to the collaboration with Georgia Tech and Willow Garage on the Robots for Humanity project, aiming to enhance independence for people with disabilities. While the PR2 was a breakthrough, its practicality was limited due to its size, cost, and complexity. This motivated the development of a new robot, Stretch, by Charlie Kemp and Aaron Edsinger, co-founders of Hello Robot. Stretch was designed to be smaller, simpler, and more affordable, making it more suitable for everyday use in home environments. Stretch, priced at $20,000, is significantly more cost-effective than the PR2. Its design focuses on simplicity and practicality, featuring a single arm with sufficient range of motion, a basic gripper, and essential sensing capabilities for obstacle avoidance and basic autonomous tasks. This minimalist approach not only keeps Stretch affordable but also makes it more user-friendly, particularly for individuals with disabilities or those unfamiliar with complex technologies. The robot’s design and functionality were shaped by real-world needs and feedback from users like Henry, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. One of the most significant [...]