HitchBOT Destroyed: Robot vandalized in Philadelphia, fans outraged worldwide

HitchBOT the hitchhiking robot destroyed by vandals while crossing the United States.

HitchBOT’s co-creators say they have been overwhelmed with support and offers to revive the child-sized robot since it was destroyed early Saturday and they are considering rebuilding it.

HitchBOT was designed as a social experiment: a talking travel companion that could recite factoids and engage in limited conversation.

The robot’s end was announced on the researchers’ website: “Oh dear, my body was damaged, but I live on back home and with all my friends. I guess sometimes bad things happen to good robots!”

My trip must come to an end for now, but my love for humans will never fade. Thanks friends: http://t.co/DabYmi6OxH pic.twitter.com/sJPVSxeawg

— hitchBOT (@hitchBOT) August 1, 2015

The robot started its latest journey in Massachusetts on July 17 with a tape wrapped around its head with the stated aim: “San Francisco or bust.” But after two weeks and visits to Boston, Salem, Gloucester, Marblehead and New York City, hitchBOT was in pieces.

HitchBOT had successfully traveled across Canada in 26 days last year. During its previous hikes, it had attended a comic convention and a wedding. Its portrait was painted in the Netherlands, and it visited Munich during its European tour. It spent a week with a heavy metal band, went to a baseball match and made a short sea trip.

The researchers said on their website that their experiment was not over. They say they intend to focus on what can be learned from the episode. Co-creator Frauke Zeller said many children who adored the robot were now “heartbroken.”

Agencies/Canadajournal