As an anthropology theory, techno-animism examines the interactions between the material and the spiritual aspects of technology in relation to humans.
[3] The practice of instilling human and spiritual characteristics into physical objects has always been part of the Shinto religion.
[4] Deities in the Shinto religion often symbolize objects of the physical world and their statues often take human forms.
Techno-animism builds upon the practices of the Shinto religion by instilling human and spiritual characteristics into technology.
However, technological advancements and techno-animism are breaking down that barrier with engineering designs that embody human and spiritual characteristics.