NASA’s Robonaut 2 became the first humanoid robot in space in 2011.
Robonaut 2, often called R2, was developed by NASA and General Motors to test dexterous robotic work alongside astronauts. Its human-like upper body included a head, torso, arms, hands, and camera-based vision. The design was intended to let it use tools and workstations made for people.
R2 launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-133 on 24 February 2011 and was delivered to the International Space Station. It was not an independent android: astronauts and ground controllers supervised its activities, and the robot was mainly a technology demonstrator.
A common mix-up is Kirobo, a Japanese talking robot that also traveled to the ISS in 2013. Kirobo was designed for conversation, while Robonaut 2 focused on physical tasks. R2 was later returned to Earth in 2018 after technical problems limited its operational use.