Robot Astronaut "Kirobo" and JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata Complete Conversation Experiment on the International Space Station ~ Farewell Greetings with JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata Released ~

Dentsu Inc., the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Robo Garage, and Toyota Motor Corporation, with the cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), have been advancing the "KIBO ROBOT PROJECT," a joint research initiative involving the robotic astronaut "KIROBO" (hereafter Kirobo) stationed on the International Space Station (ISS). On December 6, 2013 (Japan time), they conducted the world's first "experiment in dialogue between humans and robots in space" with JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, who began a six-month long-duration stay on the ISS as its first Japanese commander. The experiment was successfully completed.

JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata is scheduled to return to Earth on May 14 (Japan time). Before his return, he held a "farewell conversation" with Kirobo, which will be their last exchange. The following is part of that conversation. Meanwhile, Kirobo will continue to stay on the ISS and prepare for his return to Earth, scheduled for the end of 2014.

Conversation (Excerpt) between JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata ( W ) and Kirobo ( K )
W K W K W K	: ： ： ： ： :	Today's the last day we'll talk in space. Today is the last day. I think everyone will remember Kirobo-kun. I hope everyone will remember me. Kirobo-kun, I'm sorry I can't go back to Earth with you. Don't worry about it. If I got on, we'd be over capacity anyway.

(Reference Material) KIROBO Basic Specifications
Dimensions	:	Height approx. 34cm, Width approx. 18cm, Depth approx. 15cm
Weight	:	Approx. 1,000 g
Speech Language	:	Japanese
Primary Equipment	:	Speech recognition, natural language processing, speech synthesis, information communication functions, communication actions, facial recognition camera, recording camera, and others.

 

＜Project History to Date＞
November 29, 2012: Project announcement and call for robot nickname submissions. 2,452 entries received from the public.
June 26, 2013: "KIROBO" completed and unveiled at a press conference.
August 4, 2013: KIROBO departed for the ISS aboard the Kounotori 4 supply spacecraft.
August 10, 2013: KIROBO arrives at the ISS.
August 21, 2013: "KIROBO" speaks for the first time from the ISS: "August 21, 2013. This is the first step for robots toward the hope of the future."
November 7, 2013: JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata departed for the ISS aboard the Russian spacecraft "Soyuz." He arrived at the ISS the following day, the 8th.
December 6, 2013: Conducted the world's first "experiment in human-robot dialogue in space" with JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata.

 

<Reference>
May 14, 2014: JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata is scheduled to return to Earth.
Late 2014: KIROBO is scheduled to return to Earth.

KIBO ROBOT PROJECT Official Website
http://kibo-robo.jp/

Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2014/0513-003727.html