The First Humanoid Robot Astronaut | Jim Hudson Toyota

IRMO, S.C. - Aug. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Irmo, South Carolina—Kirobo — derived from the Japanese words for "hope" and "robot" — was among five tons of supplies and machinery launched Sunday for the International Space Station from Tanegashima, southwestern Japan.

“The childlike robot was designed to be a companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata, and will communicate with another robot on Earth, according to developers,” said the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Wakata is expected to arrive at the space station in November.

Robot designer Tomotaka Takahashi, of the University of Tokyo, advertiser Dentsu and automaker Toyota Motor Corp. worked on the robot. The challenge was making sure it could talk and move properly in a zero-g environment.

Prior to the launch, the 13-inch tall Kirobo told reporters, "one small step for me, a giant leap for robots.”

Although Japan boasts the most sophisticated robotics in the world, it has often been criticized for not being productive due to its “manga” culture which leads the industry to favor cute robots with human-like characteristics and emotional appeal. But Takahashi, the designer, said sending a robot into space could help write a new chapter in the history of communication.

"I wish for this robot to function as a mediator between person and machine, or person and Internet and sometimes even between people," he said. JAXA, Japan's equivalent of NASA, said the rocket launch was successful, and the separation of a cargo vehicle, carrying the robot to the space station, was confirmed about 15 minutes after liftoff.


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