Hello Stretch Forum!
My name is Afifah Kashif, I graduated last June with a bachelors in Computer Science from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and am now at the University of Cambridge for my masters in Human Inspired AI. This is a super late post, but wanted to put it out there!
Last summer, I worked with Hello Robot on a set of projects exploring how Stretch can better support users through thoughtful design, safety, and accessibility accommodations. My work included market research, design & storyboarding, tons of literature review, and my personal favorite — user studies! (Thank you to all participants for both your valuable insights and putting up with my long-winded series of questions)
I analyzed the largest and longest-running spinal cord injury (SCI) database in the world, managed by The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC). I also reviewed safety, transparency and ethics research, understanding how to measure and analyze user trust and safety in robotics systems. However, what I appreciated most about HelloRobot was the chance to work directly with users, connecting literature review and data analysis with real experiences. For instance, Matt and I had the chance to work with the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni, noting design assumptions embedded in setup flows, physical controls, and app-based interfaces. This work highlighted the importance of customizable design for users with different mobility needs and technological backgrounds, such as adjustable modalities and timings for notifications, clear onboarding practices, accessible app design and overall accurate perception abilities. For some reason, I can only attach one photo – so here’s a sneak peek of what the process looked like!
What I want to highlight most is a series of user interviews, storyboarding and design I conducted around power design on Stretch and affiliated interfacing. This study provided several insights not only about battery interfaces but also about broader UX considerations for Stretch. Observations around user trust, clarity of feedback, and customizable notifications suggest principles that can inform other aspects of Stretch’s design. For example, the emphasis on transparency and user control in battery feedback can be applied to features like task progress indicators, error notifications, or autonomous behaviors, ensuring that users feel informed and confident when interacting with the robot. Similarly, a structured co-design approach highlights the value of involving users in shaping new features, fostering engagement and a sense of inclusion across Stretch’s interface.
Thank you to the entire HelloRobot team for such a fun summer and giving me the chance to contribute to such impactful work! In particular, I want to thank Vinitha, Vy, and Matt for your immense support over this summer. You have brought so much passion and love for research into my life. Additionally, Will, you are a design wizard and such a pleasure to collaborate with 
Looking forward to staying connected and seeing what comes next! Feel free to reach out to me at ak2687@cam.ac.uk or through Linkedin!
With care,
Afifah