Robotic Astronaut "KIROBO" and JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata Conduct Conversation Experiment on the International Space Station

Dentsu Inc., the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Robo Garage, and Toyota Motor Corporation are advancing the "KIBO ROBOT PROJECT," a joint research initiative involving the robot astronaut "KIROBO" stationed on the International Space Station (ISS), with the cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

According to the KIBO ROBOT PROJECT Secretariat, on December 6, 2013, they successfully conducted the world's first "human-robot dialogue experiment in space" with JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata. They primarily conducted the following two dialogue experiments, and some footage is available on the official website.

(1) Autonomous conversation by the robot using voice recognition
(2) Remote communication with the ground via the robot

Experiments have continued sequentially since December 6, collecting conversation log data and other information. The results will be utilized by participating companies toward a future where humans and robots coexist, while also exploring the potential for utilizing communication robots in space.

Official Website: http://kibo-robo.jp/
Official Twitter: @kibo_robo

Example of a Conversation Experiment

(Koichi Wakata, JAXA Astronaut: W, Kirobo: K)
W: How did you get to space, Kirobo?
K: I came on the Stork from Tanegashima.
W: So you rode a stork all the way to space.
K: Not a bird, a rocket named Stork.
W: That's amazing you came all by yourself.
K: Well, I'm a robot, after all.

 

KIROBO Basic Specifications

■Dimensions: Height approx. 34cm, Width approx. 18cm, Depth approx. 15cm
■Weight: Approx. 1,000 g
■Speech Language: Japanese
■Main Functions: Voice recognition, natural language processing, speech synthesis, information communication functions, communication actions, face recognition camera, recording camera, etc.

Dentsu Inc. News Release: http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2013/pdf/2013135-1220.pdf