Beloved Robot Dogs Honoured In Funeral Ceremony

In a small Buddhist temple, a funeral for robot dogs is a poignant expression of the human capacity for emotional connection, and compassion. Some Sony AIBO owners became deeply attached to the robots. Sony stopped production of AIBOs in 2006, and in 2014, the company ended support service for the aging robots.

Repair company A-Fun soon had a steady demand from AIBO owners, requiring parts from other, defunct AIBOs. Out of respect for the owners’ connection to the “deceased” devices, A-Fun decided to hold funerals for the "organ donors." According to Head Priest Bungen Oi, honouring these machines is consistent with Buddhist thought. Citing a proverb, he says, “Everything has Buddha-nature.”