Japan plans to host an AI robot competition on the International Space Station by 2027. The project aims to train a new generation of engineers for the space industry by challenging teams to develop AI systems for space-based robotics.
The initiative is organized by the Tokyo-based Space AI Robotics Association (SAIRA), which was established in July 2026. The association brings together universities, research institutions, and private companies to advance technologies in space exploration, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Participants will first compete using ground-based simulators to develop physical AI models capable of managing robots under specific environmental and physical constraints. Winners of the preliminary stage will advance to the final round held on the ISS.
The final competition is scheduled to take place in the Japanese Kibo module. Participants will control the Int-Ball2, a spherical robot currently used on the station for photography, video recording, and assisting astronauts with various tasks in microgravity.
