Japanese company Nisseieco Co. Ltd. unveiled a "robot priest" they have programmed to help with tasks at Buddhist temples, including the reading of Buddhist scripture during funeral ceremonies. The humanoid robot named "Pepper," designed by Japanese telecommunications company Softbank, was seen in action wearing a Buddhist robe chanting sutras at Japan's largest funeral and cemetery expo. Michio Inamura, the company's executive adviser, said the robot would be able to fulfill religious duties that are increasingly neglected in society, as donations to, as well as people affiliated with temples is in decline in the country. He added that a robot would be a cheaper option for families, costing just 50,000 yen ($457) per funeral compared to the typical cost of more than 240,000 yen (£1,711) per funeral for a human priest. Although the display attracted plenty of visitors, some expressed doubt that a robot could fulfill religious tasks. One priest said he was there to observe whether or not Pepper was able to "embody" the spiritual foundation of religion. ----------------------------------------­­­­---------- Follow BI UK on Twitter: bit.ly/1Nz3jG3 Follow BI UK On Facebook: bit.ly/1VWDkiy Read more: uk.businessinsider.com/?IR=C ----------------------------------------­­­­---------- Business Insider UK is the largest business news site for British readers and viewers in the UK. Our mission: to tell you all you need to know about the big world around you. The BI UK Video team focuses on business, technology, strategy, and culture with an emphasis on unique storytelling and data that appeals to the next generation of leaders – the digital generation.

Be the first to comment