Robots act as space station companions

Japan's first robot astronaut, Kirobo, recently completed its first mission aboard the International Space Station.

Now, Mirata - a second robot that stands 34cm (13.4in) tall - is soon to take its turn space.

It's all part of a Toyota-backed project to try to understand how humans interact with robot companions capable of recognising faces and maintaining a conversation.

The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones met with both Mirata and Nigel Morris, chief executive of the marketing firm Dentsu Aegis Networks, which is also involved in the scheme.