HitchBOT “The Hitchhiking Robot” to Return to Canada for Possible Rebuild

After meeting its demise in Philadelphia last August 1, hitchBOT "The Hitchhiking Robot" is to return to its hometown, Canada, for a possible rebuilding.

The news of the beheading and dismembering of the popular hitchhiking robot shook the whole online and robotics community.

HitchBOT was a friendly and outgoing Canadian robot that garnered fame with its hitchhiking travels across Canada, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Victoria, to British Columbia. For 26 days the robot hitchhiked a total of 19 rides and travelled over 10,000 kilometers. HitchBOT even went international as it visited Germany to explore cities like Munich, Cologne, Berlin, and Hamburg. HitchBOT also went sightseeing in Netherlands to view some of Twente's most notable arts and cultural locations.

HitchBOT set its sights on USA with high hopes this last summer. The robot started its USA trip in Salem, Massachusetts, and it had hoped to make it to San Francisco, California. During its hitchhiking escapades, hitchBOT managed to cross out two items from its bucket list: to do a wave at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, and to see the bright lights of Times Square, New York.

HitchBOT's USA escapades however, were cut short due to an unexpected tragedy that occurred during its stay in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.

HitchBOT was cruelly vandalized, dismembered, and beheaded in the streets of the said city.

Hacktory, a group of art and technology enthusiasts from Philadelphia, was saddened by the destruction of the hitchhiking robot. "We were saddened (but maybe not very surprised) to hear that the beloved #HitchBot, which had done trips across Europe and Canada, was destroyed during its stay in Philly." They also said, "Philly isn't so bad, it's got some really great stuff going on, and great people. But seriously, we would recommend avoiding the scene in Old City on the weekend evenings... not a good one for bots or anyone who's not looking for a drunken brawl." Hacktory also offered some help to rebuild hitchBOT and started a fundraising project.

The remains of hitchBOT is now on its way back to where everything started. The guardians of hitchBOT in Canada has said that from the images of the robot's remains, it might be impossible to rebuild hitchBOT. But they are also stating that this will not be the end for our beloved hitchhiking robot.