“Do you take this more-or-less female automaton to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.”
“And do you take this more-or-less (less) male automaton to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I robot.”
Welcome to the brave new world of holy matrimony between whoever (or whatever) the hell feels like tying the knot.
The Daily Mail has the particulars in re the marriage in Tokyo on Saturday of Frois, the groom, and Yukirin, the bride, both of whom happen to be of the robotic persuasion.
Special invitations were made, featuring a picture of the two robots inset in a heart, and the 100-strong congregation included a range of smaller robotic models.
After the ceremony the couple even managed to ‘cut a cake’ before an automated orchestra performed a song for the equivalent of their first dance.
The event was organised by Maywa Denki, which produces electronic accessories and designed the groom Frois.
As the video below reveals, Yukirin (for better or worse) looks more human than Frois, who is cast in the mechanical man mold that was popular in B movies a half-century ago.
The wedding was not intended as a commentary on the Supreme Court ruling here in the U.S. last Friday. Obviously a good deal of planning went into the event, making the timing purely coincidental.
Nevertheless, it raises questions over who — or what — next in the high court’s broadening of the definition of marriage. In the meantime, for those interested in sending a gift, the couple has registered at Micro Center and Newegg.