Why not rituals with robotic precision ?

That technology and automation often have a disruptive effect is well established; that they also usually fulfil an economic or societal need is also obvious. So, the invention of a robot to take on the mantle of a priest for funeral rites in Japan and another one to bestow religious blessings in Germany, were almost inevitable. Populations there are ageing but still quite traditional.

As the countries are prosperous, there not very many people would be willing to take up priestly duties — a comparatively modestly paid profession. Robots appear to be the perfect solution, as they can be expected to deliver word-perfect, on-time performances, at a fraction of the fees of their human Japanese counterpart.

The opportunities for India are obvious. Priests officiating at rites from birth to death are of varying competence here, and people are often unsure if rituals are performed as per the scriptures. Nor are the clerics of any religion very well paid. Given the country’s rising prosperity and aspirations, an availability crisis is inevitable if not imminent.

Robotic priests, well-versed in every religious rite prevalent in the country, could go a long way in addressing this issue. Of course, some may quibble about the robots’ eligibility to officiate, but in these days of caste and gender equality, such arguments may not prevail.