Kanaria Tech Inc. is an AI-sector startup founded by three Ritsumeikan University students. Their core product is the Kanaria Robotic Model (KRM), a unique navigation model that enables robots to perceive and adapt to their surroundings by processing images captured by a video camera. The company is currently conducting a demonstration experiment with a major Japanese robotics company, says Keito Takishita, COO of Kanaria Tech, as he spoke to us about their journey and what he sees in the future.
Please tell us about your Kanaria Robotic Model.
Today, for robots to navigate and move autonomously, a map of the area must be developed, and numerous sensors are required to determine the robot’s location and detect obstacles. Our KRM is an AI platform with a camera that serves as the robot’s eyes, and a brain that learns from the camera’s image data, enabling robots to move naturally, as if they were humans. KRM-installed robots can “see” or recognize obstacles and their size and shape, as well as movements of surrounding humans, in real time, allowing them to smoothly navigate vast, complex areas or spaces packed with people. The system is universally versatile and can be retrofitted onto a diverse range of robots.
The technology is patent-pending. We have various backers, such as the startup fund of Ritsumeikan Trust (RSIF), the NVIDIA Inception Program for Startups, the Google for Startups Cloud Program, and so forth, who are supporting us as we move toward social implementation.
What would society look like when KRM becomes the new normal?
We envision a society in which robots will work among us, smoothly integrated into our daily lives. By making KRM a platform technology that can be installed across a wide range of robots, we can lower deployment costs. Further, in this future society, everyone can benefit from robots. Issues that can be tackled include labor shortages that hinder social infrastructure improvements, as well as necessary service and efficiency improvements in high-traffic locations such as commercial venues and tourist destinations.
However, importantly, we do not believe robots and AI can fully replace human beings. No matter how far technology advances, human dignity takes top priority. This is a non-negotiable principle that we never lose sight of, as we continue our work.
With our corporate partners, we are currently verifying proof-of-concept to enable practical use, such as the verification test we are conducting with NSK Ltd., installing KRM on their autonomous robots.
Please tell us about your journey.
I was always enthusiastic about robots, and I began participating in robot competitions in primary school. My plan was to study abroad for college to learn about robotics and AI, but COVID got in the way, so I enrolled in the Information Systems Science and Engineering Course at Ritsumeikan University’s College of Information Science and Engineering.
Most of the students there are from abroad. While I considered starting my own business in AI and robotics, I met Ibrahim Orhan from Turkey (CEO of Kanaria Tech), who studied with me in the same lab, and his friend, Alisher Abdulkhaev (CTO) from Kyrgyzstan. We hit it off and founded Kanaria Tech in 2022. We named the company Kanaria because the canary is pronounced ka-na-ri-a in all three of our native languages; we also wanted our company to explore uncharted territories, just like canaries do in caves.
We wish to collaborate with more companies, run tests under various situations, and improve adaptability. Our ongoing vision is to partner with companies across the world to energize the robotics industry and deliver new value.
September 2025: Kanaria Tech won the Grand Prize of Kidou Global Conference’s KIDOU Pitch competition.
November 2025: Keito Takishita participated in OIH’s Global Workshop, presented his pitch in English at Babson College, networked with local students, faculty, and support institutions.
