Philly Tech Group Pays Tribute To HitchBOT, Creating New Robot
By Diana Rocco
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Members of Philadelphia's tech community and volunteers have set out to create a version of HitchBOT -- Philly style.
The robot will be called the PhillyLoveBOT and instead of hitchhiking, it will have another method of transportation.
"It would be passed person to person. Once someone receives it, they also make a commitment to do a good deed and they would document that with the hashtag #botterlylove or #phillylovebots," said Georgia Guthrie of the Hacktory.
"That's the response to the HitchBOT is the pay it forward model," said a volunteer.
The HitchBOT is a world famous robot created as a social media experiment by two Canadian inventors. It hitchhiked its way through Canada and Europe. But when HitchBOT got to Philly, someone destroyed it.
"Philly is much better than that," said volunteer Stephen Macurdy.
HitchBOT was found nearly two weeks ago in pieces on a Philadelphia sidewalk.
Now coming up with another model, these volunteers are hoping to make amends.
"People here have some really good ideas. We're onto something that's not as sophisticated as the original," said Macurdy.
A brain storming session was held Thursday to come up with a prototype. The PhillyLoveBOT will be comprised of just about anything you can think of, from common household items to electronics.
"It will be a mesh of things that are reclaimed, or re-purposed or recycled," said a volunteer.
"Once we figure out what the LoveBOT basically is going to be and it's basic functionality, then those electronics will be available from the Hacktory or from online sources and so you can essentially get a kit of parts and build your own."
Then anyone will be able to purchase and start spreading the Philly Love BOT.