NASA has sent a humanoid robot at the International Space Station (ISS) and it is the first robot inside a human space vehicle operating without a cage. It is also the first to work with human-rated tools in space.

Robonaut 2 was selected for the ISS after a challenging review by the NASA selection committee that tested the robot in the areas of Aerospace Significance, Industry Significance, Humanitarian Significance, Technology Readiness Level, NASA Use, Industry Use and Creativity. It was selected as the NASA Government Invention of the Year for 2014.

Astronauts are making efforts to figure out if Robonaut 2 could be put into use to perform medical tasks in space, guided by doctors on the Earth. Robonaut 2 appears similar to a cross between C-3PO and the Michelin Man.

The Robonaut is capable of taking selfies and was designed by NASA and General Motors to perform tasks on the space station.

"One advantage of a humanoid design is that Robonaut can take over simple, repetitive, or especially dangerous tasks on places such as the International Space Station", NASA said on its website.

NASA's Robonaut programme began in 1997 after scientists expressed optimism over the chances of resting a robot in space by 2005. Astronauts at the ISS are now endeavoring to see how the Robonaut performs in minimal gravity. According to NASA, the Robonaut is being designed with the intention of helping astronauts to get rid of doing repetitive tasks. The Robonaut will help researchers at the ISS to focus on research and critical work.