Dogs AIBO robots are part of the range of private funeral in Japan, as their owners believe that these "pets" are endowed with souls, reports dailymail.co.uk.
Incense smoke rises in Buddhist temples in Japan, while various priests chant religious songs, praying for a peaceful transition of departed souls. Looks like a funeral like any other in Japan. Except that "death" are dogs, robots, align the altar, each bearing a label indicating the place of origin and family who were part.
These devices are AIBO, the world's first household robots, endowed with artificial intelligence programs and able to develop their own personality.
"I think the owners believe they have souls as long as they are in their company," said Nobuyuki Narimatsu, aged 59, who runs a company specializing in the repair of vintage electronic devices.
Sony Group launched the first generation of robots AIBO range in June 1999, and the first 3,000 units were sold in just 20 minutes, despite the high price they were sold - 250,000 yen (2,000 dollars) .
Over the years, more than 150,000 were sold AIBO robots in various ranges and colors including metallic silver version, which enjoyed great success.
AIBO dogs are endowed with a lot of sensors, a camera and a microphone. The last generation models could even speak.
But in 2006, the group Sony is facing a difficult situation. Its business model is deadlocked and company get a stiff competition from rivals in all business segments. AIBO robots very expensive and considered a luxury frivolous, were taken out of production.
Sony AIBO kept open Clinic - official service group - until March 2014, but then communicated customers with courtesy, they would not benefit from servicing these products.
For Hideko Mori, aged 70 years, this news was the size of a real disaster.
Pensioner Japanese had an AIBO robot that kept them company for eight years. He enjoyed conversations with him and considered him a "pet" much more convenient than a real dog.
"There needs to eat and not pee ... actually seems pee, lifting one leg and producing a sound sympathetic, indescribable. But not remove any liquid. I never thought that his life will be limited "she says.
But in May 2014, her beloved robot, who retired Japanese had called, simply, "Aibo" has become real.
"We sent an email to a former employee at Sony (the name of the dog-robot) in which I wrote:" I really did not choice but to die because I can not move me? '"Added Hideko Mori.
That engineer recommended to contact A FUN, a company he works for former employees of the Sony Group, which had repaired the robot in two months.
"I was so happy to see him again, healthy home," said retired Japanese.
Hiroshi Funabashi, aged 61, who oversees the department repair A FUN, says robots AIBO owners defective medical considers rather than an engineer.
"The word" repair "does not fit in this context," says Japanese engineer who lives in Kasama, north of Tokyo. Around him AIBO robots are dozens of technical problems, while many of these are described by the phrase "painful joints".
"For those who still have AIBO robots, they are not electronic devices. The owners think of their pets robotic as a family member," he added.
Funabashi say that enhances functions of AIBO old models, but just trying to play the "health" of yesteryear.
The problem is that the repair can take weeks and even months due to shortage recorded in parts. Dozens are currently AIBO "hospitalized" and another 180 are on a "waiting list".
The only source of original spare parts are bots "dead" that are "donor" organ, but only after a funeral ceremony itself.
Bungen Oi, a priest of the Temple Kofukuji, 450 years old, which Isumi, east of Tokyo, said that a funeral service held last month AIBO robot was a good opportunity for the "souls" they have a transition peaceful and dignified to leave their bodies.
"I was pleased to discover this interesting mismatch when I held a funeral service for a leading technology in a conventional manner," said the priest Japanese.
People are likely to become more familiar with this "mismatch" during future years and future decades as "robot with personality" will become more present in their lives.
At the end, the company Softbank, a Japanese telecommunications giant will begin to sell the public Pepper humanoid robot.
Despite the price of $ 2,000, Pepper is useless in terms of housework. Instead, say the creators of the little robot is able to learn in time to imitate and anticipate human emotions.
With this "violation" of the boundaries between humanity and technology experts expect more people to experience the same type of attachment to Pepper as owners of dogs AIBO robots range.
Source: mediafax
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