A group of robotic dog owners have brought their robo-pooches to a shrine to celebrate a Japanese festival meant for children. Families in Japan traditionally bring their children to shrines like this one, to ask for blessings and a long life.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Inside this Japanese shrine, a coming-of-age ceremony is underway.
00:12It's part of a traditional festival celebrated every year in Japan, focused on children.
00:17But there are no children in sight here.
00:19Instead, rows of robotic dogs.
00:39The festival is celebrated every November in Japan.
00:42Families bring their children to shrines like this one, at the age of three, five, and seven,
00:47to ask for blessings and a long life.
00:50These robotic dogs, manufactured by Sony, have been popular in Japan for a while, and
00:55gained special prominence during COVID-19, when people turned to them to combat loneliness.
01:00And as Japan's birth rate has fallen to a record low, some older people consider them
01:04like children.
01:33Some robo-pups at this ceremony ride in baby carriages or strollers.
01:38All are dressed in kimonos, traditional Japanese attire.
01:42The dogs' personalities are driven by artificial intelligence, and are supposed to adapt to
01:46the habits of their owners, fostering close bonds.
01:49The 62-year-old owner bought a robotic dog after his real dog died, and gave it the same
01:54name.
02:08Some owners say their robotic dogs bring purpose and companionship into their lives, becoming
02:13real members of their families.
02:16James Lin and King Squiranta for Taiwan Plus.