The "Intelligent Monks" from science fiction are entering real life. On February 24, 2026, according to Japan's Mainichi Shimbun, the "Institute for the Future of Humanity and Society" team at Kyoto University officially released a generative AI robot with voice and body coordination capabilities—Buddhabot Plus.

This robot can not only answer devotees' questions based on Buddhist scriptures but also achieve highly ritualistic dynamic interactions through bionic hardware.

Core Configuration: Cross-border Integration of Chinese Advanced Technology and Top-tier AI

The emergence of Buddhist Robot is a deep collision between cutting-edge technology and ancient civilization:

  • Yuqiu Technology Hardware Support: The robot is built based on humanoid products from the Chinese well-known robotics company Yuqiu Technology. The research team injected it with soft and solemn walking logic, as well as representative religious actions such as joining hands and worshiping.

  • ChatGPT Brain Drive: The robot is equipped with the latest version of ChatGPT, enabling it to explain, supplement, and clarify questions raised by users based on original Buddhist scriptures.

  • Human-like Interaction: It defaults to a young male voice and supports personalized adjustments in gender and age to suit different devotees' communication habits.

Development Purpose: Filling the Gap in Human Resources and Providing Emotional Comfort

The Kyoto University team stated that the purpose of developing this robot is not to replace human monks, but to serve as a complement:

  • Breaking the Communication Barrier: It is expected to become an object for devotees to confide in about things they find difficult to talk about with human monks.

  • Performing Religious Rituals: In situations where there is a shortage of monks, the robot can perform some rituals to ensure the continuity of religious activities.

  • Evolution Process: From non-generative AI in 2021, to the introduction of AR visual communication in 2022, and now the addition of a "body," the Buddhist Robot has completed its evolution from a flat to a three-dimensional embodied intelligence.

Industry Impact: When "Intelligent Machines" Meet "Faith"

According to observations, this "Zen Tower" design has sparked extensive discussions in society. When AI can learn the movements and wisdom of great monks to promote Buddhism, the boundaries of traditional religious dissemination are being redefined. This also marks that humanoid robots are accelerating their infiltration from industrial production fields into spiritual service and cultural heritage fields.