Talking robot sent on special mission to International Space Station to make friends

A talking Japanese robot has been sent to the International Space Station as part of a special mission to make friends with an astronaut.

Kirobo the robot will be carrying out experiments while on board the ISS and working with Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata. His conversations with Wakata will be closely monitored to see how it affects the astronaut.

Kirobo's design is based on a popular superhero character called Astro Boy. Unfortunately, the robot can only communicate with those who can speak Japanese and will be unable to talk to the other astronauts on board the ISS.