“Usually we are concerned whether we can trust robots, but this project takes it the other way around and asks: Can robots trust human beings?” Dr. Frauke Zeller of Ryerson University stated in a press release. “We expect hitchBOT to be charming and trustworthy enough in its conversation to secure rides through Canada.”
The robot has a moving arm to show people that it wants a ride, but is otherwise in capable of moving on its own. The robot will be designed to have a cobbled-together appearance of household items like a bucket, pool noodles, garden gloves and rubber boots.
The robot will Tweet and Instagram its journey starting July 27.
