Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

I read with interest this article about a hitchhiking robot called hitchBot.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1480407/whats-it-like-to-pick-up-a-hitchhiking-robot-strange-says-one-group/

The robot will travel the entire width of Canada over the summer with the assistance of willing drivers. It is an intriguing concept to have a robot interact with its human counterparts but also a social experiment showing how people will react to a mechanical being. Is this the beginning of robot culture? What benefits are there for having a robotic passenger?

I think it would be fun to engage in this experiment. hitchBot may not be the greatest conversationist but his presence obviously has people communicate more with strangers and friends alike.

Would you pick him up?

What do you think you would learn from the experience if anything?

Here is more information of hitchBot:

http://www.hitchbot.me/   http://hitchbotimg.blob.core.windows.net/img/PressRelease_07162014.pdf

Quotes:

Let’s not kid ourselves here, robots already run most of our world. We’ll be their butlers soon enough.  Eric Stoltz

I believe that robots should only have faces if they truly need them.  Donald Norman

 

Today’s prompt is:  You pick up hitchBot – what is your experience with this robotic companion?