Waymo, a self-driving car service, has launched its early testing in Philadelphia. While the news is met with excitement from locals, some are recalling the infamous story of hitchBOT, a Canadian robot that met a tragic end on American soil in 2015. The robot was killed after being vandalized and stripped for parts during its visit to Philadelphia.
The incident sparked a mix of reactions, including humor and concern, which were echoed across social media platforms with memes referencing hitchBOT’s demise. This raises questions about the treatment of autonomous robots like Waymo in public spaces.
As Waymo begins testing its driverless cars in Philly, it is essential for officials to take note of hitchBOT’s tragic fate and consider measures to ensure the robots’ safety and respect for human life. The city’s motto, “This is why we can’t have nice things,” seems fittingly relevant given the robot’s past experiences.
Source: https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/waymo-philadelphia-hitchbot-taxis-20250708.html