Canada's hitchBOT the Hitchhiking Robot Destroyed Trying to Cross the US Associated Press
go to original August 4, 2015

Hitchhiking Robot's Cross-Country Trip in US Ends in Philadelphia (AJ+)

A hitchhiking robot that captured the hearts of fans worldwide met its demise in the U.S.

The Canadian researchers who created hitchBOT as a social experiment told The Associated Press that someone in Philadelphia damaged the robot beyond repair early Saturday, ending its first American tour after about two weeks.

"Sadly, sadly it's come to an end," said Frauke Zeller, one of its co-creators.

The kid-size robot set out to travel cross-country after successfully hitchhiking across Canada in 26 days last year and parts of Europe. It's immobile on its own, relying on the kindness of strangers. Those who picked it up often passed it to other travelers or left it where others might notice it.

...With the robot destroyed, Zeller said, she was most concerned about children who loved hitchBOT and followed it on social media. "I hope that people won't be too disappointed, too sad," she said.

Read the rest at Yahoo Tech

Last summer, the hitchBOT completed a 6,000-kilometre journey across Canada, bumming rides all the way from Halifax and reaching Victoria. (The National)

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