(via Kibo Robot Project)
Sending robots into space is nothing new as NASA sent up their Robonaut 2 to the ISS back in February of 2011. The robot’s primary function is to conduct repairs either autonomously or by remote control via personnel on the ISS or at ground control stations. Even though it resembles the human form, ithe robot cannot interact with people on a human level such as having conversations with its counterparts. On the other hand, Japan’s first robot astronaut, Kirobo, can have extensive conversations but it’s not capable of performing repair operations in or out of the station. The tiny robot can respond to natural language, which is a feat in itself and it was designed to be a companion of sorts to the current ISS commander Koichi Wakata. Kirobo is the end result of the Kibo Robot Project, which is a collaboration of several robotics companies and institutions that include dentsu (project manager), the University of Tokyo, JAXA and Robo Garage (robot design). Toyota was also part of the collaboration and developed the software that allows Kirobo to understand natural speech and voice recognition.
The 13-inch tall, 2.2-pound robot is capable of full range of motion allowing it to walk, move its arms and turn its head much in the same fashion as humans do but it’s the ability to interact through speech that sets it apart from other robots in its class. In fact, that is its primary function; to act as an assistant for various experiments conducted by astronauts on the ISS. How can it assist being so tiny? It will serve as a voice and video recorder (log) during the experiments that are to be conducted in low earth orbit. It will also relay messages from crewmembers on the station as well as relay communication from those back on Earth. The robot is also part of a feasibility study on how well Kirobo can be used for emotional support for astronauts conducting long missions in space much like the AI GERTY in the movie Moon. The robot itself is capable of not only conducting natural speech but is also outfitted with facial recognition software as well as voice recognition abilities that allow the robot to not only recognize who it is speaking with but also build on its speech using past conversations. Like most astronaut crews, agencies maintain a backup crew on standby in case any problems should arise and Kirobo is no exception to the rule. Back on the ground at Japan’s JAXA headquarters is Kirobo’s twin brother Mirata who functions on standby much like its human counterparts. The robot is identical to its twin and can perform all of the functions of its astronaut brother including moving in a low gravity environment. According to their primary creator (Associate Professor Tomotaka Takahashi), it took over nine months to develop and dozens of tests (including parabolic flight tests) to see if the robots could function reliably in a zero G environment. If all goes well with Kirobo on the ISS, it could lead to the regular inclusion of robots on future missions into space as skilled companions for astronauts.
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