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The Herb is a Mobile Manipulator developed by University of Washington, launched 2006. Key specifications: arm dof 14, base speed 1.5 m/s, battery 6 h, navigation vision.

RoboScore

30.5/ 100

Weak evidence

No confirmed deployment on record — this score reflects the rest of the record, not verified adoption.

4 of 9 signals present

Recomputed nightly from public data. Missing data is skipped, never zero-filled — and rankings are never for sale.

Weighted factors

average of the 4 scored · blanks don't count

Commercial maturity20%25/100
Deployment footprint18%unknown
Proven track record12%unknown
Spec completeness12%84/100
Company financial health12%unknown
Company maturity8%unknown
Manufacturer portfolio6%26/100
Media mentions (trailing 12 months)6%unknown
Independent recognition4%70/100

Not in the Mobile Manipulator standing. The standings cover robots first sold from 2020 onward, and this one launched in 2006. Its Robo Score above is unaffected — the score is the evidence, the standing is only who it is listed against.

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Overview

Herb (Home Exploring Robot Butler) is an autonomous robot with a mobile base and two arms designed to perform tasks in human environments. It features two 7-DOF Barrett WAM arms, a Segway RMP 200 mobile base, and advanced sensors including RGBD cameras and 3D laser scanning. The robot is capable of recognizing objects, planning safe motions for collaborative manipulation, and learning household tasks like food preparation and object handling in kitchens and other domestic spaces.

Flagship features

  • Herb stands for Home Exploring Robot Butler
  • Developed by a team led by Siddhartha Srinivasa at Carnegie Mellon
  • Funding initially sourced from Intel and a National Science Foundation center
  • Evolved through multiple versions from its original 2006 design to current capabilities
  • Integrates with Linux OS and custom control software

Buyer decision signals

Viability

HERB cameo on The X-Files

Price

Research platform

Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price

Specifications

Category: Mobile Manipulator
Arm DOF
14
Base speed
1.5 m/s
Battery
6 h
Navigation
vision
ROS
Yes
VerifiedSelf-reportedEstimated

Company milestones

  • Nov 2017DeploymentHERB cameo on The X-Files
  • 2027MilestoneOperational year on ISS planned
  • 2018MilestoneRobot film festival top honors
  • 2012MilestoneHERB 2.0 paper published
  • DeploymentFirst ISS deployment planned
  • MilestoneFirst ISS mission sequencing

More by University of Washington

More videos

HERB the Robot Stars in Oreo Video

Carnegie Mellon University

Frequently asked questions

Who makes the Herb?
The Herb is developed by University of Washington.
What type of robot is the Herb?
The Herb is a Mobile Manipulator made by University of Washington.
How much does the Herb cost?
Pricing for the Herb is not publicly listed — contact University of Washington for a quote.
When was the Herb launched?
The Herb was launched in 2006.
What are the key specifications of the Herb?
Key specifications of the Herb: arm dof 14, base speed 1.5 m/s, battery 6 h, navigation vision, ros Yes.

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