Ex-Google executive unveils helper 'Stretch' equipped with arm to help with simple household tasks

A robotics company co-founded by an ex-Google executive has launched its first ever product called, Stretch. The bot, which Hello Robot has spent three years developing, is being marketed as a'home automation platform' designed to spur advancements in home robotics. It consists of a robotic arm and gripper attached to a wheeled base and can be programmed for a number of household tasks like removing laundry from a dryer or operating a handheld vacuum. 'What sets this robot apart is its extraordinary reach -- which is why we named it Stretch,' said Edsinger in a statement. 'Its patent pending design makes possible a range of applications such as assisting an older parent at home, stocking grocery shelves, and wiping down potentially infectious surfaces at the workplace.