The Kirobo Robot Astronaut Conversation Experiment Project received the 2014 Good Design Award.

The "Kirobo" conversation experiment project, a collaborative research effort involving Dentsu Inc., the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Robo Garage, and Toyota Motor Corporation, has been awarded the "2014 Good Design Award" (sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated foundation).

Kirobo was launched from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center on August 4, 2013, and remains aboard the International Space Station (ISS) today. On December 6, 2013, it conducted the world's first "conversation experiment between a human and a robot in space" with JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, who had just completed a six-month long-duration stay as the first Japanese commander of the ISS.

Regarding this series of projects, the Good Design Award stated: "To install hardware on spacecraft, safety reviews demonstrating the ability to withstand numerous harsh environmental conditions from launch through operation are essential. The primary significance of this robot lies in passing these safety reviews and operating in space. We hope this robot will spark various approaches and discussions."

---

Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2014/1001-003828.html