Tag Archives: Kirobo

Toyota KIROBO Mini Robot Wants to Be Your Driving Co-Pilot

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Driving can get lonely. It helps to have a companion. Even if it isn’t human. That’s why Toyota has announced that it’ll sell its KIROBO Mini “communication partner robot” starting at the end of this year. This little guy will be your wingman.

toyoya_kirobi_mini_robot

Just plop KIROBO Mini into your car’s cupholder, and your long journeys will never be the same, as the robot will keep you company with casual conversation in standard Japanese. The robot will turn its head toward whoever is speaking, nod in agreement, and even attempt to analyze your emotions with a built-in camera. KIROBO is the ultimate car yes man… bot.

The robot will also work outside of the car, as it learns about your personal preferences, keeps an eye on things you’re doing, and provides color commentary on your life.

KIROBO Mini will cost you 39,800 Yen ($392USD), and you can get one from a series of low-volume pre-sales at Toyota dealerships in Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture at the end of this year.

If you can’t have a human with you, this bot will have to do.

[Toyota via Engadget]

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

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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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Kirobo Talking Robot Headed into Space

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Kirobo is a 13-inch talking robot that will keep Japanese astronaut Kochi Wakata company on the International Space Station. He is now on his way to the ISS after being launched on an H-2B rocket from Japan.
Kirobo
Kirobo is the first talking robot to be sent into space. He’s a pretty adorable robot too. He was launched on board an unmanned spacecraft that’s scheduled to arrive at the ISS on August 9th. Along with the robot, the craft is also carrying drinking water, food, and other supplies.

Wakata will arrive at the ISS in November to take over as Commander. Kirobo will talk to Wakata and even keep a record of their conversations during the mission. Captain Kirk just has a captain’s log. Kirobo is so much neater.

Here’s some footage of the little guy being weighed, packed and shipped like so much space baggage:

If many more robots get into space, we will need to be careful they don’t build a death ray up there and kill us all.

[Kibo-Robo via Geekosystem]

Watch live: Japanese space launch sends Kirobo up to the ISS (video)

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You love robots, and you love rocket launches... right? So, you're going to want to watch the double whammy this afternoon we're guessing. That cutesy little Kirobo fella is making his way up to the ISS, and you can see it unfold live, right here, with coverage starting at 3:00pm ET. So, grab a sandwich and get comfortable. Though, we can't promise Kirobo will be making an actual appearance, stranger things have happened.

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Source: Space