Hitchhiking robot embarks on tour across U.S.

[yuiyoshida]

BOSTON (AP) — With its thumb raised skyward and a grin on its digital face, the robotic creation of two researchers in Canada embarked on a hitchhiking journey across the U.S. on Friday.

The humanoid robot named hitchBOT has already caught rides across Canada and in Europe, relying on the kindness and curiosity of strangers. But this is its first U.S. tour, setting out from Massachusetts with dreams of San Francisco ahead.

Along the way, it hopes to see some quintessential American sites, including Times Square, Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

To start the journey, its creators set it alongside a road in Marblehead with tape wrapped around its cylindrical head that read “San Francisco or bust.” Not long after, a group of German tourists picked it up and strapped it into their SUV with plans to take it to Boston or New York.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002296873

[Buns_of_Fire]

1. I sincerely hope he (he?) makes it.

And doesn't wind up abandoned in some flophouse Radio Shack in Oklahoma City, strung out and begging on the streets for spare AAA batteries. Godspeed, hitchBot.

[catnhatnh]

2. The robot will probably make it...

Sadly a human trying the same thing in the "Land of the Free" would most likely wind up jailed. Go figure.

[Charlie Brown]

3. they ought to name it Marvin and give it a towel n/t