#Japan #Tokyo #AI Robotics #ZEALS #Omakase.ai

ZEALS Launches Omakase Robotics

Japan's innovative tech startup, ZEALS, based in Tokyo's Meguro district, has taken a significant step forward in the realm of customer service technology by launching Omakase Robotics. This new initiative integrates the voice AI agent Omakase.ai with robotics, aiming to enhance the offline customer service experience. With Masahiro Shimizu at the helm as CEO, ZEALS is eager to forge new paths in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The Background: AI and Robotics in Offline Spaces

Over recent years, the advancement of robotics and AI has experienced remarkable growth, largely attributed to the decreasing costs of hardware and escalating capabilities of artificial intelligence. As tech companies, particularly in the United States and China, increasingly embrace robotics, a pivotal moment in the industry has arrived.

ZEALS has a history in the robotics sector, having ventured into this field in 2015, only to retract its initial efforts. Since then, the company has thrived in developing chatbot technologies. In 2025, ZEALS launched Omakase.ai in the U.S., leading to the creation of over 15,000 AI agents worldwide. With Omakase Robotics, ZEALS is aiming to solidify use cases for robotics that can complement both online and offline customer service, thereby addressing labor shortages in various sectors. Their vision is to elevate Japanese service excellence to a global stage, encapsulated in their motto of bringing Japan and the world together.

What is Omakase Robotics?

Omakase.ai stands out as a unique audio AI agent product that made a notable early launch in the U.S. for a Japanese startup. The product has already achieved remarkable acclaim. It reached the top of the global daily rankings on Product Hunt and is poised for a broader rollout in Japan starting October 2024, with numerous companies already implementing the technology.

Omakase Robotics focuses on merging the functionalities of Omakase.ai with robotics, enabling the delivery of customer service experiences in offline environments such as stores. This initiative aims to create a seamless customer experience crossing digital and physical realms.

Leadership in Development: Shuichi Nagao

Shuichi Nagao, a seasoned entrepreneur with significant experience in technology and startups, has been appointed as the lead developer for this project. Operating primarily in the U.S., Nagao aims to enhance the integration of Omakase.ai with robotic systems to revolutionize customer experiences by accelerating product development directly linked to real-world applications.

Shuichi Nagao’s Background

Nagao graduated from the University of Tokyo and gained experience in the startup scene while working at Candle. After participating in M&A transactions, he served as a software engineer at FinTech startup AnyPay, focusing on product development. In 2019, he co-founded Credify in Southeast Asia, where he led operations in AI agents for FinTech and customer support. His comprehensive expertise led him to manage everything from product development to organizational structuring, and fundraising. Following his departure in late 2024, he returned to Japan, where he continues to pursue research and product development in advanced technology sectors like AI and robotics.

About ZEALS

Company: ZEALS, Inc.
Founded: April 1, 2014
Capital: 100 million JPY
Location: 1-8-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 6th Floor Alco Tower
Representative: Masahiro Shimizu
Business Focus: ZEALS AI Agents and Chat Commerce
Website: https://zeals.ai/jp/

In conclusion, ZEALS is once again at the forefront of innovation with Omakase Robotics, embracing the future of customer service that harmonizes AI and robotics. The implications of this venture are poised to redefine how businesses interact with customers in both online and offline settings.