An intelligent robot equipped with emotion-sensing voice detectors is headed to the International Space Station after launching in Florida, becoming the latest artificial intelligence -powered astronaut workmate in orbit. It will test technologies that could prove crucial for future crewed missions in deep space, where long-term isolation poses risks to astronauts' mental health. While designed to help astronauts conduct scientific experiments, the English- speaking robot is also being trained to help mitigate groupthink — a behavioural phenomenon in which isolated groups of humans can be driven to make irrational decisions.