A robot walks into the woods..

May 17, 2022 2:16 PM

Matthew McCormack describes encountering a delivery robot in the woods. That is all.
posted by elkevelvet (17 comments total)

Everyone in town is connected to the Loop in one way or another...
posted by tigrrrlily at 2:21 PM on May 17, 2022 [10 favorites]

🤖 You made my WEEK with this, thank you. 🤖
posted by tiny frying pan at 2:30 PM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]

@caseyjohnston: He’s not lost. he’s free
posted by mhum at 2:49 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

Is this brand of delivery bot with "autonomous guidance" actually driven by people in low-wage workers in other parts of the world? I think even the companies farthest along still use "semi-autonomous" basically if the robot gets stuck a human takes over.
posted by JauntyFedora at 3:59 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

For more robots set free in the wilderness, please meet ShyBot!

[Builder portfolio] | [Popular Mechanics] | [CNET] | [NYT]
posted by mykescipark at 4:09 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

I could totally see someone piloting one of those semi-autonomous delivery bots stuck working from home or in a cubical somewhere bleak and urbanized just saying "Fuck it, I don't care if I get fired! I'm going for a walk!" and guiding their robot deep into a park or some woods they'll likely never be able to see in person.
posted by loquacious at 4:16 PM on May 17, 2022 [5 favorites]

I assume somewhere there's a cartoon bear who's mugged some hikers for a mobile phone, and is ordering up a pic-a-nic basket
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:12 PM on May 17, 2022 [14 favorites]

you're walking in the woods
there's no one around and your phone is dea- wait, shit, wrong celebrity
posted by taquito sunrise at 6:28 PM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]

It could be working for CBLR.
posted by Combustible Edison Lighthouse at 6:47 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

Even robots need a walk in the forest ocassionally.
posted by dg at 6:55 PM on May 17, 2022

There are certainly worse fates that await these creatures....
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:30 PM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]

Godspeed WALL-E FOODIE
posted by Monochrome at 8:03 PM on May 17, 2022

“We appreciate everyone’s concern about our delivery robots but this robot isn't lost, it’s on a delivery to a customer,” Harris-Burland said in an email. “Our robots can traverse a variety of terrain and take the safest and most efficient route possible on every one of the 10,000–15,000 autonomous deliveries they complete daily. In this case, that route happened to be a paved path through a wooded area in Northampton, UK.”

Buzzfeed article
posted by Monochrome at 8:18 PM on May 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

It could be working for CBLR .

That movie looks amazing.
posted by bendy at 10:44 PM on May 17, 2022

"I won't tell you where the place is, the dark mesh of the woods
meeting the unmarked strip of light—"
posted by Clowder of bats at 10:50 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

Starship is in Tallin and they're hiring.
posted by bendy at 10:51 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

Well UberEats on trails would def make hiking easier.
posted by pwnguin at 9:35 AM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]