Dubai - UAE, July 10, 2013

A miniature robot, developed in part by Toyota, is set to become the latest visitor to the International Space Station (ISS). Christened Kirobo, the robot is 34cm tall, and weighs around 1kg (on Earth). He will take part in the first robot-human conversation experiments aboard the ISS (International Space Station) when he arrives there after his scheduled launch on 4 August.

After his launch into space, Kirobo will disembark at the ISS and wait for the arrival of Commander Koichi Wakata in November or December. In the Kibo Japanese experiment module, the commander and Kirobo will then take part in the first conversation experiment held between a person and a robot in space.

Toyota was responsible for voice and face recognition functions that are crucial to the experiments. Toyota plans to use what it learns from the project to improve the company's partner robots and interactive conversation technology. However, before he was allowed to fly Kirobo had to prove he had the right stuff by passing a range of tests. These included a parabolic flight test to examine behaviour in 'zero G' conditions, and a vibration test, to ensure he was tough enough to withstand the intense force of a rocket launch.

Kirobo is one of two humanoid verbal-communication robots developed under the Kibo Robot Project, a joint research project carried out by Toyota Motor Corporation, RCAST and Robo Garage. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has also provided extensive assistance.

Both Kirobo and Mirata which is the designated ground crew robot are equipped for question and answer conversations. They can also nod and have face recognition as well as emotion recognition capabilities.   

For more information please visit Kibo Robot Website: kibo-robo.jp/en/

Project Timeline (planned)

Aug. 4, 2013             Robot astronaut Kirobo leaves for the ISS

Aug.-Sep. 2013        Kirobo speaks for the first time in space

Nov.-Dec. 2013        Commander Wakata arrives at the ISS

Dec. 2013                 Commander Wakata and Kirobo have their first conversation

May-Jun. 2014         Commander Wakata leaves the ISS

Dec. 2014                 Kirobo returns to Earth

-Ends-

For more information please contact:
Ismail Yagan
Public Relations Manager
Toyota Middle East & North Africa
Tel: +9714 2993875
Mobile: +97156 1797456
Email: ismail_yagan@toyota-menaro.ae 

Walid Majzoub
TRACCS
Tel: +9714 3672530
TRACCS 24/7 Media Hotline: +97150 9448389
Email: walid.majzoub@traccs.net

© Press Release 2013