As reported in the Guardian, Japan is leading the way in robotic technology. Robots are used in healthcare, entertainment and as companions for those who live alone.
Now, the Japanese are introducing robots as priests for funerals. Currently, they have only been used in Buddhist funerals, with the robots being coded to chant sutras and tap drums. Robots have now been introduced at a funeral industry fair in Tokyo.
According to a survey by the Japan Consumer’s Association, the average cost of a funeral in Japan is 2.3 million yen (roughly £16,300), with additional cost for a priest. Pepper, the robotic priest, will cost just £350.
As the population of Japan is ageing and reducing, many of their Buddhist priests seek additional part time work, this means that more and more are unavailable for events such as funerals. Aside from those who can't afford a human priest, Pepper may be used when one is unavailable. As with "normal funerals", Pepper will be present in full robes and the ceremony can be streamed to those who are unable to attend.
Although this may be appealing to the general public, it has received criticism from religious figures, as they believe "the heart is the foundation of religion"; an aspect Pepper will be unable to replicate. Although Pepper hasn't yet been hired, as robots are slowly taking over, will they form a permanent part of the future and, how long will it be before they're used worldwide?
