Talking Robot Utters First Words in Space, Looks Like IRL Anime [VIDEO]

We’ve told you about Kirobo before; he’s a 13.4-inch tall humanoid robot inspired by Astro Boy, is surprisingly cute, and is mostly not terrifying. Kirobo accompanied Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakada to the International Space Station, where he was to function as a conversational partner, and it seems like he’s actually pulling it off.

Kirobo only speaks Japanese, and his first words in space were, “On August 21, 2013, a robot took one small step toward a brighter future for all.” The best part: he also says them while dancing like he’s Sailor Moon, about to face-off against a minion of the Negaverse.

(via YouTube)

Meanwhile in related links

• Here’s when we first found out about Kirobo
• And here’s when he was launched into space
• These robots are being developed with a sense of smell

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Sam Maggs

Sam Maggs is a writer and televisioner, currently hailing from the Kingdom of the North (Toronto). Her first book, THE FANGIRL'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY will be out soon from Quirk Books. Sam’s parents saw Star Wars: A New Hope 24 times when it first came out, so none of this is really her fault.

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