Japan develops 'monk' version of a new generation robot with many 'strange' improvements

Kodai-ji, a 400-year-old temple of the Rinzai Zen school, has recently attracted many tourists and Buddhists. They came here to hear teachings from a robotic "monk", named Mindar.

This robot "monk" is created from aluminum and silicon. Kodai-ji Temple collaborated with a group of scientists from Osaka University's Department of Systems Innovation (Japan) to develop this "monk" in 2019.

The "robot monk" is pre-programmed with a series of lectures that enhance the spiritual experience. In addition, Mindar is equipped with a camera lens in the left eye, allowing eye contact with the opposite person while the body and hands of the 'monk' can mimic human-like interaction. Mindar can also display videos of worshipers on the wall.

Robotic "monks" can preach and write messages, but that doesn't mean they really understand the beliefs they're conveying.

Advances in science have made robots significantly more advanced and capable, but in the field of religion they may not be reliable enough. Robotic "monks" can preach and write messages, but they don't really understand the beliefs they're conveying.

As a result, many tourists and Buddhists consider this robotic 'monk' to be a less trustworthy religious figure than the human monks working at Kodai-ji Temple.

Marvin Fry

Update 29 July 2023