How a Robot Hitchhiked Across Canada

In 2014, a plucky robot called Hitchbot took a chance on people and hit the road with one thumb in the air. That’s right, this hitchhiking robot managed to bum a ride from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, British Columbia in under a month, all thanks to the kindness of strangers. The masterminds behind the project wanted to flip an old idea—a fear—on its head. We’ll let them tell you how Hitchbot hit the road.

This story is a part of our Frontiers series, where we bring you front and center to the dreamers, pioneers, and innovators leading society at the cutting edge. Let us take you along for a trip to the oft-imagined but rarely accomplished.

[patrickphelan]

He was found headless, and striped for parts in Philadelphia, after only 2 weeks in the US.

[colinleekruger]

I accompanied hitchbot on his final leg of this journey from Penticton BC to Victoria. Great memories

[MkmeOrg]

Left out the part about it getting destroyed pretty much as soon as it tried to travel in the US...

[rozyduskion]

I wish the robot wasn't destroyed when it came to my country. I would have loved to have the chance to see it in person!

[veldrovive]

And then it came to the US. We like to destroy stuff here. Apparently, hitchhiking robots are no exception.

[mmaworldshorts]

Try that in my country...he will turn into a drug dealer in about half an hour

[TriippyHiippy]

This robot hitchhiked across the entire country of Canada, one end to the other. I can't get friends to give me a ride to college one city over... and we go to the same college.

[darkj]

Do that in the US and the robot would've been trashed by the first person to come across it.

[samk]

Canadians are so nice they will risk dying of terminator attack to help out an unknown robot

[firefox]

You forgot about the part where he was trashed in america :p

[housel]

"In Canada he made it coast to coast, in the U.S he was immediately beaten to death Philadelphia"

"Somebody in Philly thought he had a Dallas cowboys jersey on him"

[basicnpcc]

Now try it in America, that thing would be ripped apart for scrap material in a week. xD

[starhill]

America is saddening. Don't bring anything nice here - for the sake of yourself.

[overryans]

I'm so proud if Philly this is why there are no terminator films based in Canada

[FiatLover]

Then they tried to do the same thing the US and he was vandalized and got destroyed in Philadelphia.

[HalfBlindProductions]

I'd love to see an animated version of this little fellas journey.... Maybe leave out the part where it got destroyed 😥

[AndyB]

Hitchbot made it across half the world then got to the US and was stolen.

[loganbyrne]

And his ass got trashed in my city, Philly. I would love to work with that team and do it again

[tricrome]

do that in the uk and it gonna get water damage right away

[EmperorTortoise]

This is heartwarming and cute and all but let’s not forget the fact that as soon as hitchbot came into the US, he was immediately brutalized in Philadelphia. And I find that hilarious.