Buddharoid
| Country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Year of creation | 2026 |
| Type | Humanoid |
| Purpose | Giving sermons |
Buddharoid (Japanese: ブッダロイド) is a Japanese AI-powered robot monk developed by researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with other tech companies. The robot is designed to provide spiritual guidance, similar to a real life Buddhist monks. It was unveiled at Shoren-in Temple in Kyoto.[1][2][3]
The robot is built with system called BuddhaBot-Plus, based on AI derived from OpenAI's ChatGPT. The system has been trained on Buddhist scriptures to answer personal and social questions and give religious or spiritual advice.[4][1][5] The robot is based on the hardware from Chinese company Unitree G1's humanoid Robotics.[6][7]
The robot was created in respond to the growing aging population crisis in Japan, where declining religious participation, an aging population, and a lack of successors are expected to cause about 30% of Buddhist temples to disappear by 2040.[8][1]
See also
- Gabi (robot) – another similar humanoid robot developed in South Korea
- Mindar – similar humanoid robot preacher in Kyoto, Japan
- Japanese robotics
References
- ^ a b c "Meet 'Buddharoid,' an AI-Powered Robot Monk". Tokyo Weekender. 2026-02-25. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "Kyoto University develops AI monk robot equipped with Buddhist scriptures". Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS. 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "Development of Buddhist AI Humanoid Robot 'Buddharoid' – Enabling Face-to-Face Interaction with a Buddhist AI Possessing Physicality – | 公益財団法人フォーリン・プレスセンター（FPCJ）". 公益財団法人フォーリン・プレスセンター（FPCJ） | 「日本の今」を、世界のメディアへ。取材と広報を支援する情報発信サイト. 2026-02-26. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "AI robot monk 'Buddharoid' unveiled in Japan". gulftoday. 2026-02-26. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "「ブッダロイド」、京都の寺院で"合掌" 仏教特化の生成AI搭載で対話も 京大など開発". ITmedia NEWS (in Japanese). 2026-02-25. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "Meet Buddharoid: AI-powered robot performs temple rituals in Japan". Mid-day. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ 日本放送協会 (2026-02-24). "仏教経典学習のAI搭載 悩み相談にこたえるヒト型ロボット開発". NHKニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "Buddharoid: Japan unveils AI Robot Monk To Support Shrinking Buddhist Clergy". NDTV.