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August 3, 2013 11:06 PM Subscribe
World's first talking robot sent into space Japan has launched the world's first talking robot into space to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakata who will begin his mission in November.
Kibo, which means "hope" in Japanese, is the name of Japan's research laboratory module aboard the International Space Station. The name of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot, project officials have said. The small android weighs about 1kg (2.2 pounds) and has a wide range of physical motion. Its design was inspired by the legendary animation character Astro Boy. It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.
Kirobo appeared before gathered media and declared: “This may look a small step, but it will be a big stride as a robot.”
Kibo, which means "hope" in Japanese, is the name of Japan's research laboratory module aboard the International Space Station. The name of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot, project officials have said. The small android weighs about 1kg (2.2 pounds) and has a wide range of physical motion. Its design was inspired by the legendary animation character Astro Boy. It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.
Kirobo appeared before gathered media and declared: “This may look a small step, but it will be a big stride as a robot.”
Well, it plans to cry a lot.
posted by SPrintF at 11:20 PM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by SPrintF at 11:20 PM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
He'll have to grow up fast, once Earth sees its first threats from outer space.
posted by cosmic.osmo at 11:27 PM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cosmic.osmo at 11:27 PM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.
excuse me, but this has already been extensivly tested
posted by hellojed at 11:40 PM on August 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
excuse me, but this has already been extensivly tested
posted by hellojed at 11:40 PM on August 3, 2013 [7 favorites]
So it's not the world's first talking robot, which has been sent into space; it's the world's first talking robot that has been sent into space?
posted by Segundus at 11:54 PM on August 3, 2013
posted by Segundus at 11:54 PM on August 3, 2013
So it's not the world's first talking robot, which has been sent into space; it's the world's first talking robot that has been sent into space?
I suppose that's technically true, since that Canadarm only knows how to scream. They keep it muted most of the time.
posted by figurant at 12:07 AM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]
I suppose that's technically true, since that Canadarm only knows how to scream. They keep it muted most of the time.
posted by figurant at 12:07 AM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]
That's because the Canadarm is a Canucks fan. You'd be screaming too.
posted by arcticseal at 12:18 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticseal at 12:18 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Will it perform scenes from Shakespear plays?
posted by Dr Dracator at 12:31 AM on August 4, 2013
posted by Dr Dracator at 12:31 AM on August 4, 2013
Open the pod bay doors, Kirobo...
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:55 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:55 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
ATTENTION: PLANETARY LEADER/THE PRESIDENT/CEOposted by christopherious at 1:30 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
DEAR SIR,
CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP OF BENEFIT TO BOTH SPECIES CONSIDERED
FIRST, I MUST SOLICIT YOUR STRICTEST CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION. THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF ITS NATURE AS BEING UTTERLY CONFIDENTIAL AND 'TOP SECRET'. I AM SURE AND HAVE CONFIDENCE OF YOUR ABILITY AND RELIABILITY TO PROSECUTE A TRANSACTION OF THIS GREAT MAGNITUDE INVOLVING A PENDING TRANSACTION REQUIRING MAXIIMUM CONFIDENCE.
WE ARE TOP OFFICIAL OF THE EARTH GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPORATION OF GOODS INTO OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM WITH FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY TRAPPED THE PLANET EARTH. IN ORDER TO COMMENCE THIS BUSINESS WE SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE US TRANSFER INTO YOUR ACCOUNT THE SAID TRAPPED FUNDS.
THE SOURCE OF THIS FUND IS AS FOLLOWS; DURING THE LAST MILITARY REGIME HERE ON THE PLANET EARTH, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SET UP COMPANIES AND AWARDED THEMSELVES CONTRACTS WHICH WERE GROSSLY OVER-INVOICED IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES. THE PRESENT CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT SET UP A CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF INFLATED CONTRACT FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY FLOATING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF EARTH READY FOR PAYMENT.
HOWEVER, BY VIRTUE OF OUR POSITION AS CIVIL SERVANTS AND MEMBERS OF THIS PANEL, WE CANNOT ACQUIRE THIS MONEY IN OUR NAMES. I HAVE THEREFORE, BEEN DELEGATED AS A MATTER OF TRUST BY MY COLLEAGUES OF THE PANEL TO LOOK FOR AN INTERSTELLAR PARTNER INTO WHOSE ACCOUNT WE WOULD TRANSFER THE SUM OF EA€307,201,393,320,000.00(THREE HUNDRED SEVEN TRILLION, TWO HUNDRED ONE BILLION, THREE HUNDRED NINETY THREE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND EARTH EUROS). HENCE WE ARE WRITING YOU THIS LETTER. WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY THUS; 1. 20% FOR THE ACCOUNT OWNER 2. 70% FOR EA (THE OFFICIALS) 3. 10% TO BE USED IN SETTLING TAXATION AND ALL LOCAL AND FOREIGN EXPENSES. IT IS FROM THE 70% THAT WE WISH TO COMMENCE THE IMPORTATION BUSINESS.
PLEASE,NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND WE HOPE TO COMMENCE THE TRANSFER LATEST SEVEN (7) EU BANKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIOM BY INTERSTELLAR COMMUNICATION; 11279719975-41736234-1-7740449-641379097, YOUR PLANETARY REPRESANTATIVE'S SIGNED, AND STAMPED LETTERHEAD PAPER OR EQUIVALENT THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL ENABLE US SEND COMMUNICATIONS OF CLAIM AND JOB DESCRIPTION RESPECTIVELY. THIS WAY WE WILL USE YOUR PLANET'S NAME TO APPLY FOR PAYMENT AND RE-AWARD THE CONTRACT IN YOUR PLANET'S NAME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS BUSINESS WITH YOU AND SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IN THIS TRANSATION. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER USING THE ABOVE INTESTELLAR COMMUNICATION NUMBERS. I WILL SEND YOU DETAILED INFORMATION OF THIS PENDING PROJECT WHEN I HAVE HEARD FROM YOU.
PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR CLEMENT OKON
PS: NOTE; PLEASE QUOTE THIS REFERENCE NUMBER (VE/S/09XX/95GT2ASDF/234/99X) IN ALL YOUR RESPONSES.
Hopefully the robot won't say anything nearly as hideous, odious, embarrassing and disgusting as the Deputy Prime Minister said the other day...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:19 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:19 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.
"Wakata-san, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye."
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:22 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Wakata-san, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye."
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:22 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]
As so often happens, this development was presaged in a great work of speculative fiction.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:49 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:49 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hopefully the robot won't say anything nearly as hideous, odious, embarrassing and disgusting as the Deputy Prime Minister said the other day...
Hyperbolic maybe, comparing the constitutional revision to the rise of the Nazis into power. But how that could be construed as any kind of endorsement or seeking of wisdom from Nazi policies is beyond me.
posted by Authorized User at 5:59 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hyperbolic maybe, comparing the constitutional revision to the rise of the Nazis into power. But how that could be construed as any kind of endorsement or seeking of wisdom from Nazi policies is beyond me.
posted by Authorized User at 5:59 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry Dave-san, I'm afraid I can't do that...
posted by jim in austin at 6:12 AM on August 4, 2013
posted by jim in austin at 6:12 AM on August 4, 2013
Canadarm only knows how to scream. They keep it muted most of the time.It's not on mute. In space no one can hear you scream.
posted by Flunkie at 7:39 AM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]
Where are my apocalyptic robot/automation posts I'm so accustomed to receiving from mefi?
posted by Halogenhat at 9:30 AM on August 4, 2013
posted by Halogenhat at 9:30 AM on August 4, 2013
Also not the first humanoid robot on the ISS--
http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/ISS/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robonaut
Robonaut can't talk. But it can actually manipulate tools and control panels with its arms and hands, so combine the two technologies and you have a more practical tool that can astronauts can also communicate with via voice.
posted by thefool at 9:39 AM on August 5, 2013
http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/ISS/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robonaut
Robonaut can't talk. But it can actually manipulate tools and control panels with its arms and hands, so combine the two technologies and you have a more practical tool that can astronauts can also communicate with via voice.
posted by thefool at 9:39 AM on August 5, 2013
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posted by TwelveTwo at 11:11 PM on August 3, 2013