NASA’s Astrobee cube robot completes first hardware tests in space

NASA just inched closer to having robots take care of spacecraft. The agency recently completed its first hardware checkouts for Bumble (above), one of three Astrobee robots that will research automated caretaking aboard the International Space Stat...

Learning and STEM toys we love

By Courtney Schley This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that supports its...

‘Kirobo, please stop talking and open the pod bay doors’ (video)

Japanese robot Kirobo speaks in space, leaves pod bay doors alone

Kirobo, the mini-robot / Japanese Space Agency marketer, has spoken his first words in space after being launched last month. The University of Tokyo and Toyota research project wished Earth "good morning" and mouthed other space platitudes from his perch at the International Space Station. The bot can also recognize voices and will converse with astronauts as part of his mission goals. Then, after he's lulled them into a false sense of security...

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