Takway.AI
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Chinese startup building Sweekar, a physically-growing AI pocket pet that combines generative AI, robotics, and gamified emotional companionship. Takway.AI was founded in 2024. The company is led by Irving Gao (Hongzhi Gao). Based in Shenzhen, China. Team size: 11-50. Latest round: Angel. Key investors include Yunqi Partners (云启资本), FutureX Capital (天际资本), Dami Capital (大米创投) — Seed and Angel rounds post-CES 2026.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Shenzhen, China
- Team size
- 11-50
Value proposition
Reimagines the classic Tamagotchi virtual-pet concept as a physical AI hardware companion that grows through real life stages, remembers interactions, and builds emotional bonds with its owner via generative AI and robotics.
Products and solutions
Sweekar — AI pocket pet device with 4 life stages (egg to adult), voice interaction, memory, and physical growth (6.1cm to 7.1cm), positions itself as building toward 'the Nintendo of the AI robotics era.'
Unique value
World's first physically-growing, emotionally intelligent AI pocket pet — combines generative AI conversation/memory with actual physical growth stages, unlike purely virtual/software pets.
Target customer
Consumers (Gen Z / young adults and families) seeking emotional-companion AI toys/gadgets; global crowdfunding backers and toy retail consumers.
Industries served
Consumer AI hardware / AI companion robotics / toys & entertainment
Technology advantage
Proprietary gamified AI + robotics stack (100+ large models referenced in Chinese press) enabling on-device personality growth, voice interaction, and emotional responsiveness in a small embedded form factor.
How they differentiate
Unlike Moflin (a stationary furry companion) or legacy digital-only Tamagotchi, Sweekar physically changes size/form across real life stages and pairs with generative AI for persistent memory and personality development.
Main competitors
Casio/Vanguard Industries' Moflin (AI pet robot with emotional capabilities), broader Chinese AI-toy startup wave (36Kr reports 52+ funding events in the category since 2024), Tamagotchi-brand digital pets (Bandai) as legacy category anchor.
Key partnerships
Incubated at Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence / 深圳科创学院 (founded by Prof. Li Zexiang / 李泽湘)
Major milestones
Founded Dec 2023 (registered)/April 2024 (company established), Unveiled Sweekar at CES 2026 (Jan 2026), Live on Kickstarter since ~Jul 2026: ~$384k pledged / 1,449 backers (~30x $12.75k goal) as of mid-Aug 2026; campaign ends ~Sep 18 2026; mass production/delivery planned within 2026., Post-CES 2026: completed Seed and Angel rounds (Yunqi Partners, FutureX Capital, Dami Capital).
Growth metrics
Kickstarter (live, ends ~Sep 18 2026): ~$384,319 pledged of $12,750 goal (~3,014% / ~30x), 1,449 backers (mid-Aug 2026 snapshot; was ~$206k / 1,080 backers on Jul 31 2026). EVT pre-mass-production stage per company materials.
Market positioning
Premium AI companion toy targeting the fast-growing China-origin 'emotional AI toy' category (market estimated ~29B RMB per 36Kr); live on Kickstarter (overfunded) ahead of 2026 mass production.
Geographic focus
Global consumer launch (CES 2026 debut, crowdfunding platform rollout) with manufacturing/HQ base in Shenzhen, China.
About Irving Gao (Hongzhi Gao)
Founder/CEO Hongzhi (Irving) Gao (高鸿志): USTC (中国科学技术大学) AI/brain-inspired master's; left PhD track to found Takway.AI. Prior roles/internships at SenseTime (商汤), Shanghai AI Laboratory, and (per Chinese press) Unitree Robotics (宇树); earlier robotics/AI deployment projects (e.g. InternLM-KidMate, paddle-inference-ros). Took ~¥2M personal loans to fund pivot after first AI-robot product failed retention.
Latest news about Takway.AI
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Official website: https://takway.ai
