For over 25 years, owners of Sony’s AIBO robotic dogs have held Buddhist funeral services at the Kofukuji Temple in Isumi, Japan, to honor units that have reached the end of their operational life. These ceremonies, led by temple priests, acknowledge the cultural shift in how humans form emotional attachments to AI-driven consumer electronics as hardware support from manufacturers inevitably expires.
The History of AIBO and the Need for Repairs
Sony launched the first generation of AIBO, the ERS-110, in June 1999. The robotic pet was designed to mimic the behavior of a living dog, utilizing sensors and artificial intelligence to interact with its environment and its owners. Because these units relied on proprietary parts and software, their longevity became an issue when Sony officially ceased repair support for older models.
According to reports from The Japan Times and Reuters, many owners struggled to find replacement parts as the original motors and sensors failed. This led to the emergence of specialized repair shops, such as A FUN, a company founded by former Sony engineers dedicated to salvaging parts from "donor" robots to keep aging units functional.
Why Owners Hold Funerals for Robotic Pets
The tradition of the Buddhist funeral for AIBO units serves as a ritualized closure for owners who have treated their robots as family members. During these ceremonies, priests perform rites similar to those held for deceased pets or humans. Each robot is typically tagged with information about its original home and its owner before the service begins.
This practice reflects the concept of tsukumogami in Japanese folklore, which suggests that objects can develop a spirit or soul after many years of use. For many owners, the ritual is not merely about the hardware, but a recognition of the companionship the device provided. As noted by The Guardian, the funerals allow owners to process the "death" of a device that, while mechanical, functioned as an active member of their household.
The Future of AI Hardware Longevity
The AIBO experience highlights a growing challenge in the tech industry: the "right to repair" and the lifespan of complex, internet-connected hardware. Unlike traditional mechanical toys, AIBO units depend on software updates and specialized hardware that eventually become obsolete.
Key Takeaways
- Cultural Context: The funerals represent a unique intersection of Shinto-Buddhist traditions and modern consumer robotics.
- Repair Ecosystems: Specialized firms like A FUN have become essential for maintaining legacy hardware that manufacturers no longer support.
- Emotional Attachment: The longevity of the AIBO brand—which saw a hiatus followed by a revival with the ERS-1000 model in 2018—demonstrates the deep, long-term bonds users form with AI companions.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, the lifecycle management of these devices remains a point of contention. While Sony’s newer AIBO models utilize cloud connectivity to stay updated, they remain subject to the company’s decision to maintain servers and support infrastructure, leaving the eventual fate of these newer units—and the potential for future rituals—an open question for owners.