**SoftBank Robots Aim to Enter Japanese Temples to Assist the Departed**
Recently, Japan's SoftBank robot, Pepper, has found a new application. It has begun venturing into a previously untapped field—the funeral industry. These robots are now being used to recite prayers in temples, offering spiritual assistance to those who have passed away.
According to a Reuters report, at a funeral expo held in Japan last week, a company called Nissei Eco showcased an enhanced version of the SoftBank Pepper robot. What makes this iteration unique is its ability to perform traditional Buddhist prayer ceremonies. During the exhibition, Pepper mimicked the sound of wooden fish being struck while softly reciting sutras from its mouth. On its chest was a screen displaying the text it was reading aloud. While it might seem odd to have robots leading prayers for the deceased, they are significantly more cost-effective than hiring human officiants.
The price difference is stark: while a single robot requires around $460 in maintenance costs, a human priest can charge up to $2,200 for similar services. With Japan experiencing an aging population and a shortage of priests, the demand for such robotic solutions is growing. The affordability of these robots could address this imbalance in the market.
In an interview with Reuters, Tetsugi Matsuo, a Buddhist ritual expert, expressed cautious optimism. He noted that while robots like Pepper are impressive, they still lack the emotional depth and personal touch humans bring to religious ceremonies. At present, no fully functioning funeral robots exist, but their potential is undeniable.
This trend isn't entirely unprecedented. Earlier this year, in June, Sony held an alternative funeral for its iconic Aibo robotic dogs. When Sony discontinued production of Aibo in 2014, many of these beloved robotic pets became impossible to repair due to missing parts. Fans of Aibo organized a ceremony to honor these machines, placing them in a temple to pay respects to their “souls.†This wasn’t the first such event; a group of retired Sony engineers even formed a company dedicated to repairing Aibo units. To date, they’ve restored over 1,200 robots, and for those beyond repair, they held funerals starting in 2015.
At this year’s Aibo funeral, approximately 100 robotic dogs were placed on the altar. A new version of Fuji Software’s Palro robot joined in, dressed as monks and participating in the prayers alongside Pepper.
While Pepper robots have shown promise in the funeral industry, their acceptance among the general public remains uncertain. Some may find the idea of robotic chanting impersonal or unsettling. Only those with more progressive attitudes might embrace this modern twist on traditional rituals. As technology continues to evolve, however, it's clear that robots will play an increasingly significant role in how we honor and remember our loved ones.
Still, there’s something uniquely human about the emotional connection we feel during ceremonies. Whether robots can fully replicate this remains to be seen, but their practicality and affordability make them an intriguing solution to Japan’s demographic challenges.
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