Buddhist humanoid in Beijing has 'shaved' head, chants mantras and chats to visitors

A Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Beijing has decided to ditch traditional ways and use technology to attract followers. Longquan temple has developed a robot monk that can chant Buddhist mantras, move via voice command, and hold a simple conversation. Named Xian'er, the 2ft-tall (60cm) robot resembles a cartoon-like novice monk in yellow robes with a shaven head, holding a touchscreen on its chest. Longquan temple says it has developed a robot monk that can chant Buddhist mantras, move via voice command, and hold a simple conversation. Named Xian'er (pictured), the 2ft-tall (60cm) robot resembles a cartoon-like novice monk in yellow robes with a shaven head, holding a touch screen on its chest Xian'er can hold a conversation by answering around 20 simple questions about Buddhism and daily life, listed on its screen, and perform seven types of motions on its wheels.