Japan has sent a robot assistant to the international space station

Aug 9, 2017

The hand of humanoid robot AILA (artificial intelligence lightweight android) operates a switchboard during a demonstration by the German research centre for artificial intelligence at the CeBit computer fair in Hanover March, 5, 2013. The biggest fair of its kind open its doors to the public on March 5 and will run till March 9, 2013. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3ELOG

Japan has sent a droid to the International Space Station to aid with repairs and other tasks Image: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Patrick Caughill

Associate Editor, Futurism

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