A joint project was carried out by researchers from McMaster University and Ryerson University with an aim to see whether or not robots can trust humans to hitchhike solo across the nation. Yes, they can. This summer, hitchBOT, the Canadian robot, will be travelling across America having complete itinerary in mind.

The hitchBOT team said that this time, the hitchBOT will hitchhike solo across the US and they will also be launching a social media campaign. It is expected that as people will be come to know about it, they will gear up the robot for part of its journey.

The robot is child-sized and is designed in a manner that it looks friendly and low-tech. Its body is made up from yard-sale castoffs. The robot also boasts of hi-tech onboard equipment, including a camera, GPS unit and a speech software system.

This year's hitchBOT model is an advanced model and has departed from the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass for its ultimate destination the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco. In its journey, the robot will be making stops at many popular American tourist spots, including Times Square, Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

The robot will post its photos, updates and videos on the hitchBot website and other social media platforms.