14 DAY TRIAL // Kirobo is a small Japanese robot that was just sent to the International Space Station. The robot can talk, recognize voice and emotions, and also has the ability to learn.
Kirobo was launched into space on Sunday on a cargo ship containing tons of supplies. The rocket is expected to reach the ISS on Friday, RT reports.
The robot is 34 centimeters (13 inches) in height and about 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) in weight. It was designed by the University of Tokyo, Toyota Motor Corp, and Dentsu Inc and can operate even in zero gravity.
The robot stands out thanks to its voice and face recognition technologies, as well as to its communication skills. It can engage in a conversation with a human being without much difficulty.
However, Koichi Wakata will be the robot’s main conversation partner, since Kirobo can only speak Japanese at the moment. The Japanese astronaut is scheduled to arrive on the ISS in November.