Humanoid robot monks lead annual Lotus Lantern Festival in South Korea

Humanoid robot monks led the procession at South Korea’s annual Lotus Lantern Festival on May 16, 2026. Four robot monks greeted the crowds. Among them was Gabi – the country’s first humanoid robot monk, who was ordained at a temple earlier this month. South Korea’s Lotus Lantern Festival was added to Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.