An innovative six-legged robot, a product of Lenovo’s technological innovation and equipped with artificial intelligence, has undertaken the protection of one of China’s most important architectural monuments: the ancient wooden pagoda of Yingxian, in Shanxi province. The project, called AI Smart Pagoda 2.0, is a collaboration between Lenovo and the Joint Research Center for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Tsinghua University and the Palace Museum, opening new horizons for the application of advanced technologies in the digital preservation of cultural heritage.
The central protagonist of this mission is Daystar Bot GS, an artificial intelligence allows it to perceive the environment and make real-time decisions, even on rough or unstable terrain. With IP66 certified, it is dust and water resistant, enabling it to work reliably in demanding conditions.
The digital reconstruction of the roof of the pagoda, a project recently completed, is the basis for static studies, historical analyses and future conservation interventions. Through this approach, the preservation of the monument passes from natural to the digital world, allowing for preventive maintenance with greater precision and less risks.
The program utilizes deep learning algorithms and multimodal detection systems, combining historical data with real-time information. Thus, AI can detect changes in the surface of the wood, paint layers and the static stability of the pagoda.
Wang Xiaolong, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Conservation of Ancient Architecture and Multipramonitary Sculptures in Shanxi province, points out, “the application of innovative technologies such as robotic surveillance and intelligent monitoring allows us to protect our cultural heritage with greater safety and efficiency.” He points out the historical and cultural role of such monuments, which impart the culture of ancestors and strengthen national identity.
The project started in 2023 with the first phase of the Smart Yingxian Wooden Pagoda program, while the current phase 2.0 is based on the data and conclusions of the original application. The initiative has been selected as one of the first works of the “Innovative Design for the Promotion of Architectural Heritage”, supported by the Tsinghua-Museum of the Palace.
Lenovo points out that Daystar Bot was designed from the outset for industrial and public applications, with an emphasis on adaptability and precision – properties absolutely necessary to protect fragile historical constructions.
The Yingxian project is only the beginning. Lenovo and collaborating bodies plan to expand the program to other historical points, exploring how the combined use of artificial intelligence and traditional knowledge can provide long-term and sustainable protection of cultural heritage.
