I think the ’toon is referring to the HitchBot which was a project to have an unescorted robot hitchhike across the country. It worked in the UK and was brought here, where it was working until the poor baby ran into a fairly small minded and mean driver in Philadelphia.
As so often with Tom Toles, he is weaving two headlines together. One is the HitchBot, and the other is the new EPA guidelines on carbon emissions, which President Obama just announced,. and which 20 Red states are already suing to destroy.
Hitchbot was designed by 2 Canadian university prof’s as a social experiment. It relied totally on the kindness of strangers to get it from place to place. Its first trip was a 6000km journey across Canada which was accomplished in 26 days. it then learned some German and traversed Germany and had a “vacation” in the Netherlands…all without incident. Its journeys have been followed by kids and adults alike. While travelling it would interact with the folks who picked it up, dispensing factoids along the way.It is a shame that it came to an end in Philly, but it seem to have had a good time in Mass. Went to a red Sox game, was out to sea etc. Hopefully it will be rebuilt and go on to prove that there are more good than bad people in the world…
This cartoon is a model for recycling. The ‘bot’ can just be relabeled Obamacare.Or womens’ health.Planned Parenthood.The Iran nuclear deal.Any Obama appointment.Any Obama proposal.
Anti-technology, or just another mindless vandal? HItchbot was about a sick sociology here, the climate debacle the GOP wants is about a sick economic strategy fueled by greed.
Alexander the Good Enough over 8 years ago
Isn’t that pretty much the GOP’s approach to dealing with anything new or different?
sgm001 over 8 years ago
@Michael wme,
I think the ’toon is referring to the HitchBot which was a project to have an unescorted robot hitchhike across the country. It worked in the UK and was brought here, where it was working until the poor baby ran into a fairly small minded and mean driver in Philadelphia.
Mokurai over 8 years ago
As so often with Tom Toles, he is weaving two headlines together. One is the HitchBot, and the other is the new EPA guidelines on carbon emissions, which President Obama just announced,. and which 20 Red states are already suing to destroy.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 8 years ago
At least they didn’t shoot it to pieces.
quert over 8 years ago
Hitchbot was designed by 2 Canadian university prof’s as a social experiment. It relied totally on the kindness of strangers to get it from place to place. Its first trip was a 6000km journey across Canada which was accomplished in 26 days. it then learned some German and traversed Germany and had a “vacation” in the Netherlands…all without incident. Its journeys have been followed by kids and adults alike. While travelling it would interact with the folks who picked it up, dispensing factoids along the way.It is a shame that it came to an end in Philly, but it seem to have had a good time in Mass. Went to a red Sox game, was out to sea etc. Hopefully it will be rebuilt and go on to prove that there are more good than bad people in the world…
braindead Premium Member over 8 years ago
This cartoon is a model for recycling. The ‘bot’ can just be relabeled Obamacare.Or womens’ health.Planned Parenthood.The Iran nuclear deal.Any Obama appointment.Any Obama proposal.
Dtroutma over 8 years ago
Anti-technology, or just another mindless vandal? HItchbot was about a sick sociology here, the climate debacle the GOP wants is about a sick economic strategy fueled by greed.
Kip W over 8 years ago
Anybody can stand up to lies and half-truths. It takes the GOP to stand up and defy the truth.
edward thomas Premium Member over 8 years ago
How perfect it happened in the “City of Brotherly Love!”