https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/0730/c98649-20346908.html

Built in 1056, the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County is the tallest and oldest wooden multi-story structure in the world. Having withstood the weathering of nearly a millennium, the structure has developed a slight tilt and now requires enhanced preservation measures.

To address challenges such as the inadequate precision of manual surveying and the risk of damage from physical contact, the local government partnered with Tsinghua University’s School of Architecture to launch a smart preservation program, with the primary focus on enhancing cultural heritage preservation with the help of robotic dogs. A rotating camera mounted on its head captures intricate patterns in the tower’s carved ceilings, while an array of sensors flashed. Its 3D vision system records detailed surface data from overhead structures.

Developed by Chinese multinational technology company Lenovo, the robotic dog integrates cutting-edge technologies such as deep learning algorithms, multimodal sensing systems, and bionic motion control.

Meanwhile, Lenovo has also collaborated with the Tsinghua University-Palace Museum Joint Research Center for Cultural Heritage to apply robotic dogs in the preservation of the pagoda. Future applications include automated patrols. Equipped with a dual-light imaging system, the robotic dog can monitor heat sources in real time and issue alerts automatically if temperatures exceed a threshold. The robotic dog is equipped with two onboard computers. Upon detecting something abnormal during a patrol, it can transmit the information to a central server.

The Management Center of the pagoda is also establishing a digital twin of the structure through technological means, allowing visitors to climb the tower virtually to enhance their experience.