One of the first of its kind, the hitchBOT, a hitchhiking robot that can become a potential traveling companion is apparently damaged beyond repair which marks the end of its first tour across the United States. Prior to this tour, the robot completed its journey safely across Canada and some European countries.
Within a period of just two weeks traveling in the U.S., the robot that measures 1.2 meters tall or almost 4 feet tall was apparently vandalized that could no longer be fixed again on August 1, Saturday.
Scientists from Ryerson University in Toronto who created the hitchBOT revealed a photo of the destroyed robot that was sent to them. Prior to this, the hitchBOT can no longer be tracked when its battery ran out.
Engineers created this special robot specifically for a social experiment where the hitchBOT can serve as a travelling companion that can speak out travel facts and information and also engage in conversation with humans, although to a limited extent.
Researchers announced the robot's demise on its website where it says: oh dear, my robot body was damaged however I still get to live on with my friends back home. I guess sometimes even bad things happen to good robots!
Beginning this U.S. journey, the robot started travelling from Massachusetts on July 17 where a tape was attached around its head that says San Francisco or bust. However, after two weeks visiting Boston, Salem, Gloucester, Marblehead and finally New York City, the hitchBOT was unraveled and destroyed into pieces.
Its past travels were more successful. The hitchBOT crossed Canada in just 26 days last year where it also attended a comic convention and became a wedding guest. In the Netherlands, it even has its own portrait painting and went as far as Munich during its European tour. It also went on a tour with a heavy metal band, watched a baseball game and even made a short trip across the sea.
Researchers say that this experiment is far from over, where the team intends to focus and further study about this latest journey in the U.S. According to co-creator Frauke Zeller, many children who adored the hitchBOT were now heartbroken over this sudden, sad news.