Intro
Kondo Kagaku is a Japanese company specializing in the development and manufacture of radio control equipment and humanoid robots. Founded in 1964 by Kinjiro Kondo, the company has a long history in producing high-quality RC transmitters and components. It is well-known for its KO PROPO brand, which introduced pioneering innovations such as the Expert EX-1 transmitter in 1982, the first to use a pistol grip with a gun trigger throttle, a design that became a standard in RC devices.
In 2004, Kondo Kagaku launched the KHR-1 humanoid robot, one of the early programmable bipedal humanoid robots accessible to hobbyists and researchers. The company has maintained a focus on robotics kits and software that support robotics education and development. With a small team of about 24 employees and total assets around 5 billion JPY, Kondo Kagaku continues to serve niche markets in hobby robotics and radio control.
Robots
- KHR-1: A programmable bipedal humanoid robot introduced in 2004, designed for hobbyists and research, offering modularity and programmability.
- KO PROPO RC Transmitters: Innovative radio control devices widely used in RC cars, planes, and robots, including the Expert EX-1 model.
Specialism
Kondo Kagaku specializes in humanoid robot kits and radio control equipment, focusing on compact, programmable bipedal robots and high-performance RC transmitters. Their robots emphasize modularity, programmability, and accessibility for hobbyists and researchers, supporting education and experimentation in robotics.
Business Viability
- Strong niche presence in the hobbyist and educational robotics market, with a legacy brand recognized for quality RC equipment.
- Limited scale (approximately 24 employees) suggests a focused, specialized operation rather than mass-market manufacturing.
- Continued innovation in RC transmitter design and humanoid robotics kits supports steady demand in enthusiast communities.
- Private ownership limits access to large capital but allows flexibility in product development.
- Stable asset base (~5 billion JPY) indicates solid financial footing for a specialized company.
