Space station gets HAL-like computer

A voice-operated computer assistant is set to be used in space for the first time on Monday – its operators hope it proves more reliable than “HAL”, the treacherous speaking computer in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Called Clarissa, the program will initially talk astronauts on the International Space Station through tests of onboard water supplies. But its developers hope it will eventually be used for all computer-related work on the station.

Clarissa was designed with input from astronauts. They said it was difficult to perform the 12,000 procedures necessary to maintain the ISS and conduct scientific experiments while simultaneously reading through lengthy instruction manuals.