Intro
Donut Robotics is a Tokyo-based AI and robotics innovator focused on developing robots and smart devices that enhance human life through intelligent physical interaction. The company began in 2014 (in a garage in Kitakyushu) and was formally incorporated in 2016, driven by a vision to connect high-performance AI with the physical world and improve both efficiency and accessibility of robotics for everyday use.
The company was founded by Taisuke Ono, a self-taught product designer who established Donut Robotics at the age of 22. Ono’s design-led approach has influenced the company’s emphasis on social usability, form factor optimization, and real-world deployment readiness. Under his leadership, Donut Robotics evolved from early experimental prototypes into commercially deployed systems, attracting global media coverage and strategic interest in Japan’s service robotics ecosystem.
Donut Robotics attracted early attention with its smart robotics projects including guiding robots and translation aids, and gained international notice when selected for the Haneda Airport Robot Project and featured by major media outlets.
Over time, the company broadened into humanoid robotics, smart interfaces, and next-generation human–robot interaction tools. Its products span from communication-enhancing smart masks and wearable devices to advanced humanoid platforms, showcasing an ambition to bridge AI and physical autonomy.
Cinnamon 1 is supported by a technically diverse leadership team. CTO Tensho Ogino, a certified MIT data scientist and former AI lecturer at California Polytechnic State University, leads development in generative AI, natural language processing, and robot cognition. Chief Engineer Takashi Okabe, involved in the Cinnamon project since 2016, oversees integrated hardware–software architecture and humanoid system engineering. Technology Advisor Ayumu Tokaji, a Stanford University and University of Tokyo graduate, contributes advanced robotics and space-grade systems expertise from his work on JAXA’s Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission.
Robots
- Cinnamon 1:
A cutting-edge humanoid robot with a bipedal design and gesture control, powered by AI for intuitive, silent command interaction. It targets practical, real-world roles including industrial tasks and accessibility use cases. - Cinnamon:
Smaller robotic assistant showcased in earlier exhibits and events.
Specialism
- Gesture control and intuitive interfaces:
Innovative control systems using hand gestures instead of voice or traditional menus. - Human–AI Interaction(HRI):
Robotics and wearable products aimed at enhancing communication and accessibility. - AI-Driven task autonomy:
Vision, language, and action integrated into robotics AI stacks for real-world task execution.
Business Viability
Donut Robotics occupies a niche intersection of humanoid robotics and social tech devices, with early success in wearable robotics solutions (smart masks) that helped sustain the company through market fluctuations — particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Its integration of AI into physical platforms positions the firm to capitalize on emerging demand for human-centric autonomous systems.
The introduction of Cinnamon 1 underscores the company’s pivot toward next-generation humanoid automation, an area garnering global interest and investment. Its gesture control innovation and focus on accessibility and human interface reflect differentiated engineering intent.
However, as a small startup in a capital-intensive robotics segment, scaling production and achieving sustained commercial deployment will likely require additional funding, strategic partners, and proven real-world applications. That said, its early media exposure and participation in high-profile projects (like Haneda Airport and CES) suggest credible foundational traction and growing brand recognition in the robotics ecosystem.
