Pepper the robot to don Buddhist robe for its new funereal services role

SoftBank Group Corp.'s humanoid robot Pepper has taken on various roles since its mass-market debut in 2015. The 1.2-meter tall robots with round white heads have been deployed to banks, sushi shops and nursing homes. Now, Pepper will don a Buddhist monk's robe. Kanagawa-based Nissei Eco Co. will offer Pepper -- billed as the world's first robot that can read emotions -- to chant Buddhist sutras at funerals, providing a cheaper alternative to human priests. The maker of molded plastic products, which has also been in the funeral business since 2000, recently launched a new venture targeting budget-minded customers interested in customizing funeral services.