Toyota, in partnership with a group of other Japanese businesses, has developed a robot that will join a space expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.
Kirobo was designed and developed by Toyota along with Dentsu, the Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo and Robo Garage.
Toyota's robot astronaut will embark on its space journey on 4 August, departing from the Japanese Tanegashima Space Centre. Aboard the Kounotori 4, Kirobo will disembark at the ISS and wait for the arrival of commander Koichi Wakata in November or December.
As part of the Kibo Japanese project, the commander and Kirobo will then take part in the first conversation experiment held between a person and a robot in space.
Kirobo is one of two humanoid verbal-communication robots that have been developed under the Kibo Robot Project. Kirobo weighs 1kg, stands 34cm tall, and is able to recognise human emotions, nod and hold a conversation. Kirobo also had to undergo zero gravity and other safety tests to prepare for its space trip.
Kirobo's fellow robot Mirata will be responsible for monitoring Kirobo from earth. Mirata, like Kirobo, is able to communicate verbally but can also accumulate knowledge.
Robotic future
Senior manager for corporate communications at Toyota South Africa, Leo Kok, says Kirobo was not simply designed to venture into space. "[Kirobo] has assisted Toyota in the study of human-robot interaction and the quality of voice recognition systems. We gave Kirobo its voice and are constantly studying the interaction between humans and machines/cars."
Kok says while Toyota is not the only car automobile manufacturer to venture into robotics, it has placed a lot of focus on dexterity as opposed to upright movement. "Touch and hand movements are a very complex area and we have already developed robots that can play the trumpet and the violin."
While South Africa has not played any direct part in the development of Toyota's robots, Kok says, locally, the company focuses on specific vehicles such as the Hilux and often tests new technologies for durability.
He says the technologies developed for Kirobo are an indication of what is possible for automotive engineering. "The possibilities for future vehicle safety and man/machine interfaces are endless and will eventually find their way into cars. As an example, the Lexus LS already keeps an eye on you and detects drowsiness. It can also keep you in lane if your eyes and mind wonder."
Kok says one should not discount the possibility of robots becoming another product range in Toyota's offering. "Whether it be our growing range of robotic prosthetics and exoskeletons that help provide mobility to people who cannot walk or perform certain functions on their own, or future robotic helpers for menial, difficult or dangerous tasks."
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