Bucket-shaped Bot has a Bucket List for its American Journey
July 18, 2015 1:03 PM Subscribe
Hitchhiking robot begins journey across U.S. "This trip will be unlike any other," said co-creator Dr. David Harris of hitchBOT, which has already explored Canada, Germany and the Netherlands thanks to helpful humans. "HitchBOT's goal is not only to hitchhike across the U.S., but also to visit a number of historic sites and monuments."
Previously someone on MeFi predicted I'm pretty certain that in the United States, hitchBOT would be blown up in short order, either by a bomb disposal unit or just a guy with a bunch of firecrackers.
Time will tell.
Previously someone on MeFi predicted I'm pretty certain that in the United States, hitchBOT would be blown up in short order, either by a bomb disposal unit or just a guy with a bunch of firecrackers.
Time will tell.
@Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey. I agree. We are being softened up to serve the robots. Shouldn't this robot be picking me up to see things on MY bucket list? And why a hitchhiker!? What is next? A robot panhandler? A robot washing my windshield at an intersection and then spitting oil back onto it because I don't have any change but only credit cards?
But seriously, I appreciate the project and even more so the interactive speech system on the little guy. Very ambitious and I wish the HitchBOT team success.
posted by Muncle at 1:32 PM on July 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
But seriously, I appreciate the project and even more so the interactive speech system on the little guy. Very ambitious and I wish the HitchBOT team success.
posted by Muncle at 1:32 PM on July 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Isn't this just a souped-up version of the traveling gnome prank?
posted by Cash4Lead at 1:50 PM on July 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Cash4Lead at 1:50 PM on July 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
I get the feeling that this is like a giant geocaching travel bug.
posted by Seboshin at 1:51 PM on July 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Seboshin at 1:51 PM on July 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Autonomous vehicles will not stop to pick up HitchBOT. The future will be confused by itself.
posted by user92371 at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2015 [22 favorites]
posted by user92371 at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2015 [22 favorites]
Man, a friend of a friend once picked up a robot hitchhiker & the next morning he woke up in a bathtub full of ice and a missing socket wrench set. NO THANKS.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:22 PM on July 18, 2015 [24 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 2:22 PM on July 18, 2015 [24 favorites]
DON'T DATE ROBOTS!
But if you're giving the cute little guy a lift... well, nobody rides for free, amiright?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 2:49 PM on July 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
But if you're giving the cute little guy a lift... well, nobody rides for free, amiright?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 2:49 PM on July 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
This is very sweet, and I would like a chance to help it along before it gets stripped for parts, held for ransom, or destroyed as a pawn of the Illuminati. I'm in the wrong part of the country, though.
It reminds me of Oobi, a hitchhiking toy that never caught on.
posted by Countess Elena at 2:53 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
It reminds me of Oobi, a hitchhiking toy that never caught on.
posted by Countess Elena at 2:53 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I've got 5 words that will instantly improve this cross-country trek:
DJ ROOMBA IN THE HOUSE!!!
posted by Fizz at 3:15 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
DJ ROOMBA IN THE HOUSE!!!
posted by Fizz at 3:15 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
A robot washing my windshield at an intersection and then spitting oil back onto it because I don't have any change but only credit cards?
Ah, Muncle, so naïve. You actually think a robowasher wouldn't accept all major credit, debit, and Discover cards?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 3:51 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
Ah, Muncle, so naïve. You actually think a robowasher wouldn't accept all major credit, debit, and Discover cards?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 3:51 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I hope hitchBOT does ok in the States; his success crossing Canada might have been because we'd already learned that robots need love too.
posted by Flashman at 3:55 PM on July 18, 2015
posted by Flashman at 3:55 PM on July 18, 2015
But if you're giving the cute little guy a lift... well, nobody rides for free, amiright?
Gas, grass, or a circuitry class.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:39 PM on July 18, 2015 [11 favorites]
Gas, grass, or a circuitry class.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:39 PM on July 18, 2015 [11 favorites]
Ah, Muncle, so naïve. You actually think a robowasher wouldn't accept all major credit, debit, and Discover cards?
But... but... The Future is BitCoin! We were promised!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:38 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
But... but... The Future is BitCoin! We were promised!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:38 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
More pro-robophillic propaganda...
Check your carbon-bionormative privilege, meatbag.
posted by Behemoth at 6:48 PM on July 18, 2015 [8 favorites]
Check your carbon-bionormative privilege, meatbag.
posted by Behemoth at 6:48 PM on July 18, 2015 [8 favorites]
I'm seeing Sissy Hankshaw sized thumbs because even robots get the blues.
posted by nofundy at 7:22 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by nofundy at 7:22 PM on July 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I want to see it hop a train.
posted by clavdivs at 8:37 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 8:37 PM on July 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
If it gets to Vegas I wanna see lapdance pictures.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 9:56 PM on July 18, 2015
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 9:56 PM on July 18, 2015
Hey, you'll love it. It's a way of life!
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:59 PM on July 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:59 PM on July 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
it looks just like a telefunken u-47
posted by murphy slaw at 9:50 AM on July 19, 2015
posted by murphy slaw at 9:50 AM on July 19, 2015
Check your carbon-bionormative privilege, meatbag.
I have no need to, because toasters don't have rights. Because they are things crafted by humans.
Chappie doesn't have stories; it has a off switch.
Humanitas uber silico!
Never trust robots!
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 10:49 AM on July 19, 2015
I have no need to, because toasters don't have rights. Because they are things crafted by humans.
Chappie doesn't have stories; it has a off switch.
Humanitas uber silico!
Never trust robots!
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 10:49 AM on July 19, 2015
Hitch bot doesn't have a bucket list;
It's human creators have a list of things they'd like their creation to accomplish.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 11:09 AM on July 19, 2015
It's human creators have a list of things they'd like their creation to accomplish.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 11:09 AM on July 19, 2015
"has" = possesses a bucket list. Of course, that doesn't mean it has agency or chose the things on its bucket list.
/pedant
I will add that I did originally consider using this as a pull quote and somewhat regretted not using it after I saw the first reply:
posted by Michele in California at 1:01 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
/pedant
I will add that I did originally consider using this as a pull quote and somewhat regretted not using it after I saw the first reply:
"Usually, we are concerned whether we can trust robots," Dr. Frauke Zeller, hitchBOT's other co-creator said in a statement. "But this project takes it the other way around and asks: can robots trust human beings?"Pro-robophilic propaganda indeed.
posted by Michele in California at 1:01 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
HitchBOT destroyed in Philadelphia, ending U.S. tour
posted by stevil at 8:32 PM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by stevil at 8:32 PM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
This depressed me more than I believed it would, since I was so certain that it would happen.
Still, I'd really like to know more about the person or persons who did it. Was it just vandalism, or was it stripping for parts by desperate tweakers, or hungry kids? Philly is misery. I can imagine that this bot was encountered by someone who had absolutely no conception of robotics, whose life, whose entire family's life, had been on a trajectory far beneath that of the engineers who put the little bot out in the world.
posted by Countess Elena at 9:03 PM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Still, I'd really like to know more about the person or persons who did it. Was it just vandalism, or was it stripping for parts by desperate tweakers, or hungry kids? Philly is misery. I can imagine that this bot was encountered by someone who had absolutely no conception of robotics, whose life, whose entire family's life, had been on a trajectory far beneath that of the engineers who put the little bot out in the world.
posted by Countess Elena at 9:03 PM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm curious about the who and the why as well, but I'm also trying to understand who took the photo and sent it. The creators say they don't know where the robot is, but whoever took the photo should know?
posted by nubs at 8:23 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 8:23 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
This depressed me more than I believed it would, since I was so certain that it would happen.
Me too :(
posted by photo guy at 9:26 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Me too :(
posted by photo guy at 9:26 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Am I allowed to feel vaguely happy about this? “We don’t tolerate that kind of thing here! Don’t leave your garbage robot lying around our country! You want me to love that pile of spare parts because you’ve taken the time to paint a smiley face on it and attached some pool noodles that look like arms? Bee Ess. What you are is a free computer that’s putting on airs!”
posted by Going To Maine at 11:28 AM on August 2, 2015
posted by Going To Maine at 11:28 AM on August 2, 2015
Usually, we are concerned whether we can trust robots," Dr. Frauke Zeller, hitchBOT's other co-creator said in a statement. "But this project takes it the other way around and asks: can robots trust human beings?"
Question answered.
But seriously, who hitchhikes across the U.S. and doesn't expect to end up broken in a ditch?
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 11:30 AM on August 2, 2015 [4 favorites]
Question answered.
But seriously, who hitchhikes across the U.S. and doesn't expect to end up broken in a ditch?
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 11:30 AM on August 2, 2015 [4 favorites]
I found some information on reddit -- apparently, HitchBot was given to a celebrity YouTube prankster late Friday night, who left the bot on a bench in a residential area around midnight and tweeted its location.
posted by ectabo at 12:28 PM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ectabo at 12:28 PM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Faint of butt is apparently an oracle.
posted by Michele in California at 12:59 PM on August 2, 2015
posted by Michele in California at 12:59 PM on August 2, 2015
Damn, people suck.
posted by octothorpe at 1:03 PM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 1:03 PM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hitchbot was no angel
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 2:31 PM on August 2, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 2:31 PM on August 2, 2015 [3 favorites]
I like the reddit comments suggesting this was payback for the '93 World Series, and wondering how the Pope will fare when he comes for a visit.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 2:54 PM on August 2, 2015
posted by GhostintheMachine at 2:54 PM on August 2, 2015
doesnt the Pope have a bulletproof Popemobile?
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 3:27 PM on August 2, 2015
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 3:27 PM on August 2, 2015
HitchBOT destroyed in Philadelphia, ending U.S. tour
Group Offers To Help Revive HitchBOT That Was Vandalized In Philadelphia
posted by filthy light thief at 11:12 AM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Offers To Help Revive HitchBOT That Was Vandalized In Philadelphia
The Hacktory, a group of design and technology makers, says it wants the robot to continue its trip. They're asking hitchBOT's creators for their approval of the plan — and for a parts list to make repairs, if the robot is salvageable.Philly says: Robots Welcome!
"We feel it's the least we can do to let everyone, especially the Robot community, know that Philly isn't so bad, it's got some really great stuff going on, and great people."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:12 AM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's video of the monster who beat up the poor, defenseless robot.
posted by SansPoint at 1:53 PM on August 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 1:53 PM on August 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Okay, I was willing to have some sympathy for a dude from Circumstances. But this mook? This is the kind of guy who takes dumps in water fountains for fun.
posted by Countess Elena at 2:51 PM on August 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 2:51 PM on August 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Countess Elena He looks like the kind of mood I left my old neighborhood in Northeast Philly to get away from. I doubt it's one of those particular mooks, however, as they don't usually do their drinking and partying in Old City. They stay in the neighborhood.
posted by SansPoint at 3:15 PM on August 3, 2015
posted by SansPoint at 3:15 PM on August 3, 2015
SansPoint: Oh man, this is just like that scene in Anathem where Lio went all Vale-lore on those four slines wearing numbered sportsball jerseys.
Except in this case the slines won.
.
posted by pmg at 5:07 PM on August 3, 2015
Except in this case the slines won.
.
posted by pmg at 5:07 PM on August 3, 2015
There's video of the monster who beat up the poor, defenseless robot Hero sent back from the future putting the boot to an advanced scout for the robopocalypse.
Your move, Skynet.
(Although the video is likely a hoax)
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 8:13 AM on August 4, 2015
Your move, Skynet.
(Although the video is likely a hoax)
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 8:13 AM on August 4, 2015
I don't think that going out of one's way to ruin someone else's fun is good practice, but that deadspin article is pretty good too.
posted by Hicksu at 5:18 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Hicksu at 5:18 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, he's no Cecil the Lion, but Hitchbot has continued to be a meme...
Joy of Tech explains the motivation of the attacker, while Chainsaw Suit offers Hitchbot's ultimate revenge.
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:36 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Joy of Tech explains the motivation of the attacker, while Chainsaw Suit offers Hitchbot's ultimate revenge.
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:36 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
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Aim for the sensors, first.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 1:19 PM on July 18, 2015 [6 favorites]