Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will in March test a verbally interactive computer program that in future could give spoken advice and answer questions from technicians.
Known as Clarissa Spoken Dialogue System, the computer understands verbal commands and questions, as well as being able to provide spoken advice. It can also recognise when individuals are in conversation and it is not being spoken to.
On the ISS, Clarissa will help the astronauts through a 2.5h procedure for potable water testing, which the crew has to do once a month.
Other uses could be aircraft maintenance, monitoring human air traffic control, updating databases and cockpit automation.
Source: Flight International
