[projekktor id=’14040′]
Earlier this week we showed you the remarkable things robots can now do — like run — climb stairs — and even pour a drink. But we’ve never see one go on a road trip — let alone hitchhike. But that’s exactly what one robot will be doing.
Hitchbot: “My name is Hitchbot and I am a hitchhiking robot heading from Halifax to Victoria.”
Hitchbot is a robot on a mission to interact with people and see the country, and it’s up to you to make sure it accomplishes that. It’s something it’s creators are calling “cultural robotics”
Dr. Daivd Harris Smith, McMaster University: “These are robotics projects of the creative nature to stimulate discussion, public discourse about technology and our future.”
Sure, Hitchbot might not be as sleek and sexy as the robots we see in Japan. But it’s creators, who consist of a collection of several assistant professors from McMaster, Ryerson and the University of Toronto are hoping it’s robotically cute image will prompt drivers to give it a ride.
Frauke Zeller, Ryerson University: “It’s absolutely up to the people first of all. If they want to stop the car, put Hitchbot in the car, help it, ride with it, that is their decision.”
Hitchbot: “I hope to meet a lot of new friends that will help me along the way.”
This little bot, equipped with everything from solar panels, LED screens to yellow rain boots will also conduct interviews while on the road.
Dr. Smith: “Hitchbot will be asking drivers if they have a story that they would like to tell. So it does have some audio recording capabilities.”
Hitchbot will be all alone on its adventure. So I have to ask. Are you scared someone is going to steal you?
Hitchbot: “Robots do not feel fear, also my family told me it’s both morally and legally unacceptable to steal something or someone.”
Hitchbot’s well-being will also be monitored via it’s social media activity.
Frauke Zeller: “Because it will be tweeting from it’s social media module. If they see for instance, oh, got stuck in Winnipeg or whatever, and they live near by, they might go out and have a look.”
Something Hitchbot is confident will happen.
Hitchbot: “Common knowledge suggests Canadians are very helpful.”
Canadians might be accommodating but Canadian weather might not be. Dr. Smith and his team are making some weather related adjustment before it begins its journey on July 27th.
