Robot Surprises Man With 'Thank You' After Being Freed on University of Houston Campus
The University of Houston administration unleashed a fleet of 30 autonomous food delivery robots on their campus in mid- November. And the machines are revolutionizing college life with their advanced technology – and relentless politeness.
Nicholas Johnson, a senior studying computer science at UH, was walking to join some friends for dinner when he came across one of the robots that appeared to be stuck while trying to move onto the paved sidewalk.
Johnson recorded the encounter as he helped the robot move free. In the video, the machine says “thank you” to which Johnson replies with, “you’re welcome!”
“It caught me totally off-guard when the robot turned and thanked me afterward. I didn’t really know what to say, so I just went with what felt natural,” he told Storyful.
Johnson posted the video to Twitter on November 23, alluding to a future “robot uprising” in the post. One user responded with: “You have pleased your robot overlords. You will be spared from their wrath.”
“Turns out we’re all a little spooked about our Terminator-esque future,” Johnson told Storyful.
The robots have been a success, delivering 2,500 orders during their first week of operation, according to UH president Renu Khator. Credit: Nicholas Johnson via Storyful
