Jizai, Inc.
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Tokyo-based AI robotics startup building Palmimo (formerly Mi-Mo), a customizable general-purpose AI robot, and the Palmimo DevKit desktop robot development kit for software engineers. Jizai, Inc. was founded in 2024. The company is led by Yuki Ishikawa (石川佑樹). Based in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Team size: 11-50. Latest round: Angel. Key investors include Yoshinori Fukushima (LayerX CEO), Taro Fukuyama (Rice Capital/Fond), Keisuke Honda (KSK Angel Fund), Yutaka Matsuo (UTokyo professor), Masahiro Yamashiro & Masahiro Kitao (THE GROWTH).
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Team size
- 11-50
Value proposition
Gives AI agents a physical body — a customizable general-purpose AI robot (Palmimo) that thinks, acts, and adapts autonomously based on visual, audio, and motion inputs, with an open SDK so software engineers without robotics backgrounds can control it with their own code.
Products and solutions
Palmimo (formerly Mi-Mo) — customizable general-purpose AI robot, Palmimo DevKit — ¥598,000 (~$3,980) desktop AI robot development kit (Raspberry Pi 5/16GB, 21-axis DYNAMIXEL servos, 2.8" circular touch display, 5MP camera, ReSpeaker mic array, Python SDK, open GitHub/Docs, MCP support, Isaac Lab simulation), Jizai CommuAI — communication AI.
Unique value
Made-in-Japan, open, customizable general-purpose AI robot with a lamp-like design (21 DOF, 6 legs, camera/mic/speaker/display) that software developers can program via a Python SDK, dry-run simulation, MCP support, and Isaac Lab integration — no hardware expertise required.
Target customer
Software engineers, researchers, universities, and enterprises (R&D labs, offices, retail, exhibitions) interested in physical AI / embodied AI development and PoC.
Industries served
Robotics / Physical AI, AI software (AI DX/AI SaaS), retail, office/enterprise, research & education, exhibitions/entertainment.
Technology advantage
Multimodal AI (visual, voice, motion) driving autonomous behavior; open-source SDK and software stack (Python, MCP, Isaac Lab simulation, dry-run mode); 21-axis 6-legged locomotion; designed & built in Japan; strong founder pedigree from Mercari's generative AI leadership.
How they differentiate
Unlike single-purpose robots, Palmimo is a customizable general-purpose AI robot with an open, code-accessible platform. It targets software engineers (not just roboticists), offers a Made-in-Japan alternative to mostly overseas physical-AI dev platforms, and pairs AI software with AI hardware under one roof.
Main competitors
QibiTech (Japan), OpenDroids (R2D3 domestic robot), other companion/physical-AI robot developers (e.g., international embodied-AI startups).
Key partnerships
NVIDIA Inception Program, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, Google for Startups Cloud Program, AWS Japan Physical AI Development Support Program, UTokyo Innovation Platform (1stRound), Kyoto University of the Arts (business partnership), AIRoA (AI Robot Association), Enable AI Foundry alliance (9 Japanese companies).
Major milestones
Founded June 2024, NVIDIA Inception + Microsoft for Startups (Aug-Sep 2024), UTokyo IPC 1stRound (Oct 2024), CES 2025 debut of Mi-Mo (Jan 2025), AI for Good Global Summit 2025 (UN, Jul 2025), Google for Startups Cloud (Oct 2025), founding round funding + Jizai CommuAI launch (Dec 2025), Cannes Next conference (May 2026), AWS Japan Physical AI program (Jun 2026), Mi-Mo renamed Palmimo + DevKit exhibited at Miraikan (Jul 2026), Palmimo DevKit pre-sale launch (Sep 2026).
Growth metrics
Palmimo DevKit pre-sale at ¥598,000 (~$3,980) launched Sep 2026; Mi-Mo unveiled at CES 2025; exhibited at Miraikan (Tokyo Mirai Park) through Sep 2026.
Market positioning
Early-stage Japanese player in the emerging physical AI / embodied AI space, positioning Palmimo DevKit as an accessible entry point for developers and as a platform for social implementation of generative AI and robotics.
Geographic focus
Japan (domestic) with global ambitions for the DevKit platform.
About Yuki Ishikawa (石川佑樹)
Ex-Mercari Executive Officer VP of Generative AI/LLM; Ex-Souzou (Mercari group) CEO; Ex-Merpay Executive Officer VP of Product; Ex-Nintendo (2012); Ex-Moi/TwitCasting. University of Tokyo graduate. Led 0-to-1 launches of Mercari NOW, Merpay, and Mercari Shops.
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Official website: https://jizai.ai/
