Kirobo became the first robot to speak in outer space on Aug. 21, 2013. The robot astronaut, equipped with voice-recognition software from Toyota, sent a greeting to everyone on Earth and a photo to Mirata, the back-up crew member robot.

Kirobo arrived at the International Space Station in early August. The pint-sized robot will take part in the world’s first conversation between a human and robot in outer space later this year.

The robots were developed by the Kibo Robot Project, a joint research effort of various agencies including Toyota.

Click here for more information about Kirobo and the initiative’s mission.