Little star: Robot Kirobo speaks for first time in space

 
Far from home: Kirobo is the first robot ever to speak in space
AFP/Getty
5 September 2013

A robot has spoken for the first time in space — in Japanese.

Kirobo, its name made up of the Japanese words for “hope” and “robot”, gave the date and said: “A robot took one small step toward a brighter future for all.”

Flying the flag: Kirobo at the International Space Station
AFP/Getty

Designed to look like Fifties manga cartoon character Astro Boy, the 13in-high robot is on board the International Space Station, waiting for Japanese astronaut Kochi Wakata to arrive in November.

Programmed to recognise the commander and talk to him, Kirobo is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.

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