2024 Stretch Robot Pitch Competition

The 2024 Stretch Robot Pitch Competition, sponsored by TechSAge RERC, in collaboration with Hello Robot, was hosted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The competition sought innovative hardware or software solutions to support individuals aging with disabilities by using the Stretch^TM robot. Developed by Hello Robot, Stretch is an open source mobile manipulator with reaching, grasping, and sensing capabilities to support people with a wide range of tasks. Students submitted a brief proposal and pitch video that detailed their concept for Stretch and how it addressed a need for individuals aging with disabilities. Undergraduate and graduate students, representing a wide range of disciplines, submitted novel ideas for Stretch to support this population. An interdisciplinary panel of judges that included representatives from TechSAge and Hello Robot evaluated the submissions.

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1st Place

HYGI+: Cleaning Module for the Stretch Robot

Team: Shuoning (Stone) Shi & Yuheng (Leo) Wang, School of Art & Design

HYGI+ is an innovative cleaning module with a vacuum, motorized brushes, and a waste disposal module, to seamlessly integrate with Stretch’s existing hardware and software. Since, mainstream robot vacuum cleaners do not adequately address older adults’ needs, such as cleaning countertops and stoves, these advanced cleaning capabilities will improve hygiene and quality of life for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Prize: $1000 + resources at the LIFE Home

Honorable Mention 1

Multi-Modal Context-Aware Hazard Detection, Understanding, and Mitigation for Aging and/or People with Visual Impairments

Team: John Pohovey, Maria Lusardi, & Ananya Yammanuru, Grainger College of Engineering

This project proposed a hazard detection, understanding, and mitigation system for older adults with disabilities during human-robot navigation through indoor environments. After identifying hazards that are currently relevant, such as cables or rugs in the planned path, Stretch will either move the hazards or re-plan a new path around them and communicate this to the user. User-centered evaluation and iterative design will refine the system, leveraging real-world feedback for optimal usability. Prize: $500 + resources at the LIFE Home

Honorable Mention 2

Using Stretch Robot with Light for Pressure Ulcers: Detection, Prevention, and Treatment

Team: Chieh Wang, Melissa Kuo, College of Applied Health Sciences

Pressure ulcers are a significant concern for individuals with disabilities and older adults. This project focuses on leveraging the cameras and mobility of the Stretch robot to create an innovative solution for pressure ulcer detection, improvement, and prevention. The project aims to develop a solid intervention plan grounded in standard clinical practice and integrated with reliable and experimentally validated methods. Prize: $500