Creating a Region that Coexists with Humanoids in Rikuzentakata

NINGEI Inc. (Representative Director: Shota Okada), operating out of Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, has launched a new project, 'KYO-SEI (Coexistence with Humanoids Project),' envisioning a future where humanoids and the community live together. As the first step, they have welcomed the humanoid robot 'Booster K1 edu' into the region and begun a demonstration experiment to explore how it can be utilized in the daily life of Rikuzentakata City.

The key feature is that robots, including humanoids, are not introduced as 'convenient tools' but as companions in daily life that residents can affectionately 'raise together.' Based on the relationships formed, the project aims to enrich rural life and enhance sustainability through robotics technology.

■ Background: Robots as 'Companions in Life,' Not 'Tools'
In recent years, the development of robots, including humanoids, has progressed rapidly both in Japan and abroad, and we are entering a stage where how to utilize them in society is being questioned. On the other hand, robots are often discussed as 'convenient tools,' and the question of what kind of relationships they will form with people has not yet been sufficiently addressed.

In rural areas and other regions, a shortage of human resources and the sustainability of lifestyles are major challenges. NINGEI believes that it is precisely in these local settings that there is meaning in testing new relationships between technology and people. The new project 'KYO-SEI' is centered on 'coexistence,' welcoming robots as companions in life, not to replace people, but to expand their work and creativity and support their lives.

■ Project Details: Demonstration in Rikuzentakata Centered on Humanoids
As the first step of KYO-SEI, NINGEI will begin a demonstration experiment in Rikuzentakata City, centered on the humanoid robot 'Booster K1 edu,' to explore how it can be utilized in the region.

The core of this is the humanoid robot 'Booster K1 edu,' which is being developed with a focus on communication with people. As an entity that interacts with people, they will verify what roles it can play in community life and what relationships it can form. In addition, they will also utilize the dog-type Unitree Go2 (quadruped), which they have already introduced to assist with outdoor activities, to multifacetedly examine the distance and interaction between people and robots, as well as their roles in community life.

The project will be advanced with two key principles: verifying the relationship between technology and people in real-life settings, not in a laboratory; and creating relationships where residents can engage with a sense of 'raising' the technology with affection, while carefully identifying the best ways to utilize it for the region and its people.

■ Future Outlook: Based on a 'Raising' Relationship in the Community
NINGEI's goal is not to introduce humanoids as mere convenient machines. They aim to cultivate KYO-SEI into a project that enhances the sustainability of rural areas through robotics technology, based on a relationship where local people raise humanoids with affection and accept them as companions in life.

First, they will work on raising the humanoid within the community as a model capable of communication with people. Subsequently, they envision the humanoid being active in areas such as interaction with people from overseas and primary industries. They will first increase opportunities for public appearances at various events and other venues.

Furthermore, they plan to give the humanoid a name, and share its daily life as it 'grows' within the community and gradually learns new things through social media. They will share the process of technology taking root in the region with many people.

■ Representative Comment (Representative Director Shota Okada)
'Our generation grew up watching 'Doraemon' from the time we were born. I think its appeal was not just that it provided convenient tools, but that it was a somewhat charming and endearing 'friend-like, family-like presence' that you live with. I want to rethink robots not as tools to keep around because they are convenient, but as social entities with which we form relationships in our lives. How will we welcome a society where humanoids are commonplace? We will seek answers to that question from the local field. Our goal is not a versatile robot that can do everything. Like 'Pokémon,' we envision a future where diverse robots, each with their own unique characteristics, become community mainstays, learning and growing together with people. We want to cultivate that future from Rikuzentakata.'

■ About the New Project 'KYO-SEI (Coexistence with Humanoids Project)'
This project aims to create an ecosystem where people and robots live together, starting from rural areas. In collaboration with companies and developers, they will identify the best ways to utilize technology for the region and its people, and design everything from introduction to establishment together with the community.

Booster K1 edu (Humanoid Robot)
A humanoid robot being developed with a focus on communication with people. The initial demonstration experiment will explore how it can interact within community life.
Local children named it 'Boo-chan,' inspired by the booster. Boo-chan's daily life will be updated on the following social media accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyosei.ningei
X: https://x.com/boochan0429

■ About NINGEI Inc.
NINGEI Inc. is a company established in August 2025, based in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, with a focus on connecting local Japan with the world. Based on 15 years of practice by the certified NPO SET, the company works to create environments where new possibilities emerge from encounters between people. It currently operates three businesses:
EK-KYO (Borderless Coordination Business): A business that creates a flow of people from overseas to local Japan. It plans and operates cross-border programs that delve deep into the 'invisible daily life' of a region, and supports regional organizations in building overseas networks.
SOU-HATSU (Emergence Business): A business that creates a flow of funds for initiatives that improve society. It provides IR support for companies leveraging their on-the-ground strengths, and accompaniment support for organizations and projects active in the region.
KYO-SEI (Coexistence with Humanoids Business): A business that aims to create an ecosystem where people and robots live together, starting from rural areas.

The company also develops AI-powered applications and web services. Developments that were previously difficult to realize due to cost have become accessible through the use of AI. NINGEI proposes and provides development support for necessary tools tailored to the specific circumstances of each individual and region.

■ Company Overview
Company Name: NINGEI Inc.
Established: August 27, 2025
Location: Hirota-cho, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
Representative Director: Shota Okada
Business: EK-KYO (Borderless Coordination) / SOU-HATSU (Emergence & Co-creation Produce) / KYO-SEI (Coexistence with Humanoids)
Official Website: https://