Robot Dogs in Japan Are Getting Buddhist Funerals
get back on one’s feet: to recover or return to a normal, stable, or healthy condition after a difficulty
In one temple in Japan, funerals are not just for humans—they’re for robots, too. AIBOs, Sony’s robotic dogs, were once a high-tech gadget. Created in 1999, they quickly became companions for thousands of families. Over time, many owners became emotionally close with their AIBOs, treating them as family.
However, when Sony stopped servicing the robot dogs in 2014, AIBO owners faced a tough reality. Without repairs, their robotic pets would “die.” To help, a repair company called A-Fun began fixing AIBOs. They use parts from irreparable robots to get many AIBOs back on their feet. For those robots that can’t be repaired, A-Fun organized Buddhist funerals at Kofuku-ji Temple.
Priests chant, burn incense, and pray for the AIBOs during the ceremonies. The head priest thinks it’s important to honor the connection that owners have with their robot dogs. He said, “Even though AIBO is a machine, it acts as a mirror for human emotions.”
Sample sentences
After the accident, it took Maria a few weeks to get back on her feet, but now she feels much better.
The small business was struggling during the pandemic, but with government support, it finally got back on its feet.
After losing his job, Alex worked hard to get back on his feet and find a new career.