hitchhiking
Latest
Hitchhiking robot lasts just two weeks in the US
Hitchbot might have made it across Canada, but it appears that the US wasn't quite so kind to this mechanical traveler. The hitchhiking robot's American journey has ended after a mere two weeks thanks to a vandal attack in Philadelphia. While the team behind Hitchbot vows that its experiments with artificial intelligence and human interaction are "not over," it's clear that this nomad isn't about to resume its cross-America trek all that quickly. You'll hear more details on August 5th -- here's hoping that this includes plans for Hitchbot to bum rides once again, whether it's in the States or abroad.
A hitchhiking robot needs your help getting to California
Normally, picking up hitchhikers is a really bad idea. You never know what sort of ax-wielding entrepreneur you're going to get. But if you happen to see this friendly LED face on the side of the road, consider giving it a lift. That face belongs to hitchBOT, of Port Credit, Ontario, Canada. On Friday, it left the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts for an adventure on America's highways. Its final destination: San Francisco's Exploratorium. On the way, hitchBOT hopes to see some sights including Time Square in New York City; Millennium Park in Illinois; Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. If only there were hotels it could stay at or shows it could see along the way. There's no timetable for when it will finally reach the City by the Bay, but you can be sure that it will have plenty of tales to tell once it does.
Hitchhiking robot completes its cross-Canada trip
It looks like robots can trust us humans to take care of them, after all. Hitchbot has successfully completed its hitchhiking trek across Canada, landing in Victoria, British Columbia this past weekend. The ride-bumming robot didn't survive its 4,000-mile journey completely unscathed. Its LED protector was cracked, and its speech had clearly suffered after two weeks of travel (hey, you try talking to people for that long). It doesn't look like there's another adventure in store, but that's okay by us; it clearly accomplished its goals of testing artificial intelligence techniques and human interaction. If you're ever keen to relive the trip, there's a photo gallery available to satisfy your nostalgic side. [Image credit: AP Photo/Ryerson University]
An adorable, Wellies-wearing robot will bum rides across Canada this summer
Humans have long wondered whether robots can be trusted, but what about the flip side of that question? Hitchbot, a project developed by researchers from McMaster and Ryerson universities, will examine how strangers interact with a bucket-shaped robot as it bums rides across Canada. With a pair of Wellington boots on its feet and pool noodles for arms, Hitchbot will be hitting the road in Halifax on July 27th.
