At the beginning of July 2026 JAXA signed an agreement with Idina (which specializes in artificial intelligence and voice technologies) for the joint development of a cognitive interface called “Mission Buddy”.
This project is aimed at creating a "talking space vehicle" interface, which will allow operators, researchers and ordinary people to literally communicate by voice with satellites and interplanetary probes.
The development is based on advanced generative models of artificial intelligence and speech synthesis technologies. The project solves several key tasks:
Transfer of hidden knowledge (Tacit Knowledge): У сфері управління космічними місіями досвідчені інженери часто володіють інтуїтивними знаннями про специфіку поведінки апаратів. ШІ-інтерфейс допоможе збирати, structure and transfer these subtleties to the next generation of specialists.
Reduction of cognitive load: Instead of monitoring thousands of lines of complex code and telemetry graphs, mission operators will be able to simply ask the rocket or satellite: "What is the state of the battery charge?” or “Are there any anomalies in the operation of the engine?» and get an instant clear answer.
Popularization of science (Outreach): The interface is planned to be adapted for the general public. Visitors to exhibition centers will be able to "talk" with replicas of spacecraft, asking them questions about space.
Creation of a working prototype “Mission Buddy” scheduled for fiscal years 2026-2027.
The first demonstration tests of the system will take place in real conditions — in the exhibition hall of JAXA's Sagamihara campus. The authors of the project note, that this is the first serious step towards making the intellectual dialogue between man and technology a reality, which humanity had previously seen only in science fiction films.
Source: https://spacemedia.jp