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from the what-happens-if-you-don't-welcome-your-new-robotic-overlords dept.
Atlas Obscura has an article on a robot programmed to perform Buddhist funeral rites.
What's the hottest new trend in robotics? It might be religion. Hot on the heels of Germany's Protestant-inspired automated blessing machine, BlessU-2, a Japanese company has unveiled a smiling automaton programmed to conduct Buddhist funerals.
Unveiled during the annual Life Ending Industry Expo in Tokyo, a funeral industry trade show, the little robot was presented by Nissei Eco Co. as an inexpensive alternative to hiring a flesh-and-blood monk. According to Reuters, the robot, a reprogrammed version of SoftBank Robotics' "Pepper" model of interactive humanoid automaton, can chant Buddhist sutras and beat a little drum to honor the dead. It can even livestream the service if needed.
Also at Reuters and The Guardian.
Youtube has a clip with the robot in action, which may give you nightmares. The robot in question is a reprogrammed SoftBank Robotics Pepper model. In related news it turns out Japan has a Life Ending Industry EXPO.
Once again Philip K Dick is proven right.
[Additional video clip by the New York Post. - Ed]
(Score: 3, Funny) by MostCynical on Friday August 25 2017, @02:11AM (4 children)
There is a chance these robots are for the soon-to-be deceased, like funeral planning, so youtry for the funeral you want. If they don't trust the family to do it "properly", or they have no family left, then this robot may just be the best way to get the rite you want.
Until someone hacks it before the service, so it sings Inna Gadda Da Vida, rather than respectful chanting...
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Friday August 25 2017, @02:37AM (3 children)
But... but... In A Gadda Da Vida is very respectful.
And, in spite of the opinions of the time [youtube.com] (only 50 years since then), so it's Astronomy Domine or "Several species... grooving with a pict".
If you wanted something outrageously disrespectful, why not mention... what's his name... that canadian... Bie-bie... (oh, just forget it).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Friday August 25 2017, @02:45AM (1 child)
Bryan Adams?
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Friday August 25 2017, @03:33AM
No, silly. The Bieber one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Osamabobama on Friday August 25 2017, @05:04PM
So a lot of prominent singers make most of their money on live performances, whether a tour of stadiums or even corporate-sponsored events. Many once-prominent acts perform at secondary venues and state fairs, cashing in on their fading fame. Some may even do weddings.
Do funerals ever have live music? If so, that may be an untapped market for the likes of Bieber, especially after his inevitable decline is complete.
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