HeritageSG and Tencent have joined forces to launch WonderBot 2.0 at the Children’s Museum Singapore, heralding a new era in immersive, technology-driven heritage education for children. This collaboration is a pioneering example of how cutting-edge conversational AI and game-based learning can be integrated within museum settings to transform traditional visits into dynamic and interactive experiences. The launch of WonderBot 2.0 is part of a broader three-year digital heritage commitment by Tencent, signaling their expansive support for innovative cultural projects across Singapore.
In 2025 alone, Tencent invested over S$750,000 in technology and funding aimed at elevating Singapore’s museum and heritage sectors, including the development of this intelligent companion. “Drawing on Tencent’s deep experience in game technology, interactive design, and digital cultural preservation, we wanted to help create a museum experience that feels responsive, engaging, and playful,” said Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Global Game Technology at Tencent. Further emphasizing its role beyond a mere mascot, Ms. Asmah Alias, Director of Galleries, Exhibitions and Museums at HeritageSG, described WonderBot as “a companion that listens, learns, and laughs alongside our visitors,” redefining how children engage with heritage.
What sets WonderBot 2.0 apart is its innovative fusion of conversational AI, 3D modeling, and gamified learning to facilitate personalized interactions. Unlike static exhibits, WonderBot responds naturally to children’s voices, guides them through interactive missions, quizzes, and storytelling tailored by age, thus encouraging curiosity and discovery through play. This method of engagement deeply resonates with the Children’s Museum Singapore’s mission to make learning joyful and developmentally appropriate. The smart use of natural conversation and adaptive learning journeys ensures that children are not passive recipients but active participants, making each visit unique and memorable.
In the fulldome and immersive media landscape, this kind of AI-enhanced experiential learning represents a compelling evolution. By combining digital avatars with semantic understanding technology, the project highlights how AI can enrich immersion not just visually or sonically but through meaningful dialogic interactions. It parallels trends seen in other immersive environments where interactivity and personalization are paramount, such as interactive planetarium shows or virtual heritage tours. This initiative stands alongside other pioneers pushing heritage storytelling beyond passive observation into the realm of active, playful exploration facilitated by technology.
Furthermore, Tencent and HeritageSG’s partnership opens new pathways for scaling these innovations across wider heritage frameworks and collaborations with local creatives. Within the global network of dome festivals and education-focused immersive venues, the WonderBot model could inspire similar integrations of conversational AI in exhibitions, enhancing engagement for young audiences worldwide. By embedding such technology in a museum dedicated specifically to children under 12, it signals a thoughtful alignment of technological advancement with pedagogical insight, fostering digital inclusivity and cultural connectivity from a young age.
As the fulldome community increasingly embraces the convergence of technology and education, initiatives like WonderBot 2.0 position themselves as vital exemplars of how digital media can transform cultural institutions. They provide a glimpse into future possibilities wherein museum visits and immersive media experiences seamlessly blend, nurturing curiosity, learning, and heritage appreciation for the next generation of global citizens.
Originally reported by Bea Mitchell via www.prnewswire.com on 2026-02-06 04:06:00.
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