Japan launched the cargo transporter with a tiny talking robot on board into space

The spacecraft was launched from the Tanegashima Island at 4:48 local time by the H-2B rocket. The HTV4 cargo transporter separated from the rocket at the scheduled time.

The cargo transporter carries potable water, food, clothes, and other materials for the ISS crew as well as the childlike talking robot.

The android of 34 centimeter tall and about one kilogram weight can speak Japanese and is expected to talk to JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at ISS in November. The robot designer Tomotaka Takahashi said AFP that the android must recognize the astronaut on meeting.

Sending the robot into space will enable the scientist to study whether robots can give those who became segregated from society moral support.

Koichi Wakata has already worked at the ISS in 2009. During his time on the station, he took part in experiments suggested by the public, including testing the special astronaut underpants and flying a „magic carpet“.

Source: Lenta.Ru