Hello Robot, a US-based robotics company headquartered in Martinez, California, has received nearly $3 million in Phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Announced on September 29, 2026, the three-year grant will support further development and commercialization of Hello Robot’s Stretch mobile manipulator for older adults with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s dementia. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is collaborating with the company on the research project.
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Aaron Edsinger and Dr. Charlie Kemp, Hello Robot develops mobile manipulation robots for use in homes, workplaces and research environments. Edsinger serves as CEO, while Kemp is CTO.
Its Stretch platform combines a compact mobile base, a lightweight telescoping robotic arm, AI capabilities and user interfaces that allow the robot to navigate environments and interact with physical objects. The research will use Stretch 4, the company’s latest model, introduced in May 2026.
The NIH-funded initiative, titled Stretching their Reach: Robotic Support for Older Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s Dementia, will investigate three potential applications: cognitive assistance, social engagement and safety management.
Planned capabilities include providing reminders, guiding daily activities, helping locate household objects, facilitating social interaction and supporting routines related to mobility and hydration.
The project will involve 60 older adults, care partners and professional care staff in participatory design research. Initial evaluations will take place at the University of Illinois’ McKechnie Family LIFE Home, followed by extended studies in residential homes and care settings.
Researchers will assess the robot’s effectiveness, usability, reliability, safety, acceptance and ability to provide assistance during everyday activities.
The project began on September 22, 2026, and is expected to continue through May 2029. It builds on previous NIH-funded research conducted by Hello Robot and the university to explore robotic assistance for people with cognitive and physical impairments.
The new funding is intended to help prepare Stretch for broader applications in home-based assistance and professional care environments.
