China unveiled a robot priest capable of performing funerals and praying for the dead, using artificial intelligence (AI) to meet the needs of a burgeoning funeral market.
The AI robot priest made an appearance at the 8th China International Funeral Expo (CIFE) in Wuhan city, central China's Hubei province, on June 18.
According to a caption from Imaginechina, "This AI Robot priest provides funeral services and can pray for the deceased."
Last year, news outlets covered the debut of a Buddhist robot priest in Japan. The robot — named "Pepper" — emerged at the extremely morbidly named "Life Ending Industry Expo" in Tokyo last August, Reuters reported. Pepper could chant Buddhist incantations while hitting a drum in the traditional manner.
Nissei Eco Company, a plastic molding maker, wrote the chanting software, while SoftBank Group Corp. developed the rest of the robot. With Japan's population aging and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temples.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
3 comments:
Now put it in a drive thru and it will be really convenient.
Why even do this when a phone app will work even better? You laugh, but it's coming.
This robot can also "Prob" little boys like a real priest.
Post a Comment