Abstract:

[Purpose/Significance] Against the backdrop of building a culturally strong nation and the requirements of the 15th Five-Year Plan for cultural digitalization and intelligent empowerment, the digital revitalization of cultural heritage has reached a critical juncture. It is transitioning from documentation and archiving to providing immersive experiences and reinventing value. Embodied intelligence, which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between "body, environment and cognition", can give cultural heritage tangible and interactive capabilities, thereby encouraging users to shift from passive perception to active participation. However, existing research lacks a systematic exposition of the intrinsic logic linking embodied intelligence and the digital revitalization of cultural heritage. This paper is the first to construct a theoretical framework and empowerment mechanism from a multi-layered, progressive perspective encompassing perception, interaction and cognition, whilst revealing the gradations of difference across various scenarios. It holds both academic value and practical significance for refining digital humanities theory, guiding practice and promoting the creative transformation of traditional culture. [Method/Process] A combined approach of theoretical analysis and case studies was adopted. The theoretical basis draws on the interactive nature of embodied intelligence, - specifically, the "body-environment-cognition" triad - and the digital revitalization pathway of cultural heritage, which involves transitioning from a "static resource layer" to a "dynamic narrative layer". An empowerment mechanism model was constructed across three levels: perception enhancement, interaction deepening, and cognition generation. Building upon this, three typical scenarios - virtual presence, craft simulation and project participation - were identified and analyzed. The case studies of "Seeking the Spirit of Dunhuang", the VR ceramic firing simulation system and the "Recognizing Classical Texts" platform were selected for examination, with comparisons made across dimensions such as core elements, technological dependencies and modes of cultural transmission. Through a synthesis of case studies and industry research, the study identifies current practical challenges, including high technical costs and limited accessibility, the potential for distortion in cultural expression and blurred ethical boundaries, as well as a lack of sustainable operation and maintenance alongside a one-dimensional evaluation mechanism. [Results/Conclusions] The study demonstrates that embodied intelligence holds immense potential for the digital revitalization of cultural heritage. Virtual presence overcomes temporal and spatial constraints to achieve an "immersive"experience; craft simulation transforms tacit knowledge into learnable bodily experience; and project participation facilitates large-scale social collaboration and co-creation of knowledge. The three types of scenarios exhibit a spectrum-like distribution in terms of the degree of bodily participation, technological dependence and modes of cultural transmission, collectively forming a complete chain of cultural transmission. To address these practical challenges, four development strategies are proposed. First, to establish a lightweight, embodied interaction model that is inclusive and accessible. Second, to establish comprehensive cultural and ethical safeguards covering the entire process from data collection and content generation to user interaction. Third, to improve sustainable operation and maintenance alongside a diversified evaluation system. Fourth, to build a collaborative network for the coordinated development of talent, technology and heritage. The limitations of this study include a focus on domestic case studies and a lack of large-scale user validation. Future research could explore cross-cultural comparisons and long-term impact assessments.

Key words: embodied intelligence, cultural heritage, digital revitalization, empowerment mechanism