Japan to launch talking robot Kirobo into outer space

Originally published on July 24, 2013

Japan is going to launch a talking robot to the International Space Station on August 4 via the unmanned, cargo carrying spacecraft H-2 Transfer Vehicle-4 from Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan.

Known as Kirobo, the humanoid robot is 34 cm tall and 18 cm in width and it weighs about 1 kg. The robot is equipped with voice-recognition technology, natural language processing and facial recognition. It is able to converse to astronauts naturally in Japanese.

It was reported that Kirobo is scheduled to speak for the first time in space in August or September. However, its conversation partner, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata will not arrive at the space station until November or Decenmer. They are expected to speak for the first time in December this year. Kirobo is scheduled to return to Earth in December 2014.

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