The hitchBOT is a Research robot developed by David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller, launched 2013.
Robo Index
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3 of 10 signals present
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Weighted factors
average of the 3 scored · blanks don't count
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Overview
hitchBOT was a Canadian hitchhiking robot created by professors David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller in 2013. It gained international attention for successfully hitchhiking across Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, and engaged in basic conversations with people who picked it up, all while completing its journeys by asking for rides.
Flagship features
- Designed as a collaborative art project involving various universities
- Equipped to communicate and charm drivers for rides
- Uses social media to share experiences
- Constructed from everyday low-tech materials
- Powered by solar panels with recharging options from vehicles and outlets
Buyer decision signals
Deployments
hitchBOT project researchers (David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller)
Viability
hitchBOT destroyed in Philadelphia
Price
Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price
Availability
Specifications
Category: Research- Battery
- 7.5 h
- Autonomy
- teleoperated
- Launch year
- 2013
- Price
- Research platform
- Status
- active
Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price
Detailed specifications
Sensors1
- Sensor Suite
- GPS,voice recognition
Compute1
- Onboard Compute
- Arduino
Other18
- Applications
- human-computer interaction
- Auto Charging
- false
- Datasheet Url
- Preview PDF online
- Mobility Type
- static
- Company Country
- CA
- Navigation Type
- hybrid
- Deployment Notes
- Successfully traversed Canada from Halifax to Victoria, engaging with numerous individuals who helped it along its journey.
- Humanoid Subtype
- other
- Industries Served
- education,research
- Is Research Grade
- true
- Software Platform
- Cleverscript
- Availability Status
- discontinued
- Countries Available
- Canada,Germany,Netherlands,United States
- Deployment Maturity
- prototype
- Primary Applications
- research_development
- Programming Interface
- code_python,proprietary_app
- Additional Information
- - Designed as a collaborative art project involving various universities. - Equipped to communicate and charm drivers for rides. - Uses social media to share experiences. - Constructed from everyday low-tech materials. - Powered by solar panels with recharging options from vehicles and outlets.
- Deployment Environment
- both
Who runs it· deployment evidence
1 on record · none maker-verified yet. Each links to its source — open it and judge.
- hitchBOT project researchers (David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller)· Canadasource ↗
Company milestones
- Aug 2015DeploymenthitchBOT destroyed in Philadelphia
- Aug 2014DeploymentCanada crossing completed
- Jul 2014DeploymentCanada hitchhiking deployment begins
- 2015DeploymentUS trip launched in Boston
- 2014MilestoneSocial experiment expanded
- 2014DeploymentGermany and Netherlands trips completed
- 2013LaunchhitchBOT created
In the news
- Ten years after Philly killed hitchBOT, the robots are back. Let’s be nice this time.
Inquirer.com · Jun 22, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Who makes the hitchBOT?
- The hitchBOT is developed by David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller.
- What type of robot is the hitchBOT?
- The hitchBOT is a Research robot made by David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller.
- How much does the hitchBOT cost?
- Pricing for the hitchBOT is not publicly listed — contact David Harris Smith and Frauke Zeller for a quote.
- When was the hitchBOT launched?
- The hitchBOT was launched in 2013.
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