A six legged robotic dog developed by Lenovo inspects Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in North’s China’s Shanxi Province in April, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Lenovo
A six-legged robotic dog has joined efforts to protect the nearly 1,000-year-old Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in North China’s Shanxi Province, as China tech company Lenovo and the school of Architecture of Tsinghua University launched the Smart Pagoda 2.0 project. Powered by embodied intelligence, the initiative marks a leap in digital heritage preservation and explores new frontiers for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Lenovo has deployed its self-developed embodied AI six-legged robot dog to assist in the preservation of the ancient Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, performing tasks such as intelligent 3D scanning, modelling and safety patrols. The robot successfully completed a high-precision digital reconstruction of the pagoda’s intricate ceiling, providing a robust foundation for structural analysis, historical trace studies and conservation planning. The project is being jointly conducted with the Tsinghua University-Palace Museum Joint Research Center for Cultural Heritage.
Equipped with an intelligent 3D vision system, the robot dog is capable of restoring millimeter-level heritage details without physical contact. Its embodied AI system also enables autonomous perception and decision-making, allowing for stable navigation and data capture in complex terrain, Mao Shijie, vice president of Lenovo and head of Lenovo Research Shanghai, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
A technician at Lenovo Research, told the Global Times that the robot can autonomously follow preset routes to inspect hazardous areas such as narrow corridors, or switch to a follow mode to collaborate with human technicians.
“Monitoring data is wirelessly transmitted in real time to terminal devices, greatly enhancing the efficiency and safety of ancient architecture maintenance. The collected data is then jointly analyzed and verified by researchers from Tsinghua University,” he said.
By comparing scan data over time, researchers can use AI algorithms to automatically detect subtle changes such as wood deformation and paint loss, providing a quantitative basis for preventive conservation, according to Mao.
“Our goal is to push the boundaries of embodied intelligence by applying it to real-world, high-value scenarios like cultural heritage protection,” Mao said.
“In recent years, China has increasingly used technology not only to revitalize and make better use of cultural relics and heritage, but also to enrich public cultural life and enhance international communication,” Zhao Peng, deputy director of the ancient architecture department at the Palace Museum, told the Global Times. “Applying embodied intelligence to ancient architecture preservation represents a new frontier and emerging trend in the use of artificial intelligence.”
China is placing growing emphasis on integrating technology into cultural heritage preservation. The revised Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, updated in 2024, underscores national support for scientific research and the application of advanced, practical technologies in safeguarding cultural relics. It also calls for stronger efforts in digitalization, including the collection, presentation and utilization of cultural resources.
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shanxi is recognized by UNESCO as the world’s oldest and tallest wooden multi-story structure, standing at 67.31 meters with nine levels. In recent years, Shanxi has gained renewed attention thanks to the global buzz surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, China’s first AAA video game. During the 2025 Spring Festival, the province welcomed 28.38 million domestic tourists—an increase of 22.2 percent year-on-year—with tourism spending surging by 30.03 percent. At its peak, the pagoda attracted up to 50,000 visitors in a single day.
The Smart Yingxian Pagoda 1.0 project, launched in 2023 by Lenovo and Tsinghua University, used spatial computing and Artificial Intelligence Generated Content to build a digital twin of the ancient wooden pagoda. The model reconstructed the structure layer by layer, allowing for detailed analysis and virtual engagement. It also experimented with simulated tours and artistic restoration to enhance the public’s digital heritage experience.
