The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is sending Vyomamitra, a talking lady robot, in unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft. The Indian space agency has planned to send Vyomamitra even before orbiting astronauts on India's first manned mission to Space in December 2021. Vyomamitra was the center of attraction at the inaugural session of the "Human Spaceflight and Exploration - Present Challenges and Future Trends." She can talk, recognize other humans, answer queries and more. Vyomamitra is half humanoid since she does not have legs.

Vyomamitra took everyone by surprise when she introduced herself to the audience gathered at the event. "Hello everyone. I am Vyomamitra, the prototype of the half-humanoid, been made for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission," the robot said.

She further explained her role in the Gaganyaan mission: "I can monitor through module parameters, alert you and perform life support operations. I can perform activities like switch panel operations..." The robot said she can also be a companion and converse with the astronauts, recognize them and can also respond to their queries.

ISRO chairman K Sivan told reporters the humanoid will simulate human functions in space and also interact with the environment control life support system. "It will be simulating exactly the human functions there (in space). It will check whether the system is right. This will be very useful to simulate as if a human is flying," said Sivan.

Earlier, addressing the inaugural function, Sivan said ahead of the launch of India's maiden human spaceflight venture 'Gaganyaan' in December 2021, ISRO will undertake two unmanned missions in December 2020 and June 2021.