The hard streets of Philadelphia proved to be too much for hitchBOT, the hitchhiking robot.

HitchBOT was on a cross-country trip when he met his demise. Photographic evidence shows hitchBOT laying in roadside refuse and leaves, his arms laying nearby. His head appeared to be missing.

https://twitter.com/cog2286/status/627626725518643201

The robot’s Canadian creators confirmed hitchBOT’s end:

hitchBOT’s trip came to an end last night in Philadelphia after having spent a little over two weeks hitchhiking and visiting sites in Boston, Salem, Gloucester, Marblehead, and New York City.

Unfortunately, hitchBOT was vandalized overnight in Philadelphia; sometimes bad things happen to good robots.

We know that many of hitchBOT’s fans will be disappointed, but we want them to be assured that this great experiment is not over. For now we will focus on the question “what can be learned from this?” and explore future adventures for robots and humans.

HitchBOT had traveled across Canada and parts of Europe last year. Its creators had hoped the robot would be able to make it across America by starting in Marblehead, Massachusetts and ending in San Francisco, California — “or bust,” a sign said on hitchBOT.

Someone apparently took that a little too literally.

The robot’s whereabouts is unknown as his batteries are dead and he’s unable to transmit location data.

HitchBOT was designed to be a “talking travel companion” that could toss out factoids and engage in idle chatter. He couldn’t actually move, so he was reliant on helpful strangers.

Co-creator Frauke Zeller says many children who adored the robot “are now heartbroken,” according to CBS 4.