hitchBOT
In 2015, a group of Canadian researchers set up a social experiment. It was called hitchBOT, a boot-wearing, friendly-looking robot that sat on the side of the road asking drivers for a ride. The idea was for hitchBOT to hitchhike from Boston to San Francisco, relying on (and testing) the kindness of strangers.
“Please pick me up and put me in your vehicle,” hitchBOT would explain to passers-by. “Now I want to experience the American dream. Along with my newly shined wellies, I will be bringing a bucket list I made along with the help of my family.”
For the first two weeks, things went great — until hitchBOT made it to Philadelphia, where it learned what the real American dream is all about. hitchBOT was found beheaded with its arms ripped off, cutting its journey short when it had barely even started. We’ve all seen Terminator; the people of Philadelphia don’t take any chances.
