Genki Global Dining Concepts Integrates AI in Aquaculture
Genki Global Dining Concepts (GDC), based in Tokyo, is taking a significant stride in the sustainable aquaculture sector by collaborating with Takasui Co., a prominent aquaculture firm in Mie Prefecture. This initiative incorporates UMITRON's advanced AI-powered automatic feeding technology, UMITRON CELL®, to optimize sea bream farming operations, which is crucial for enhancing efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Project Overview
Starting from 2025, GDC, in partnership with Takasui, aims to cultivate approximately 600 tons of sea bream annually across 71 dedicated farming enclosures located in Minami-Ise, Mie Prefecture. With the launch of this advanced feeding technology scheduled for late May 2026, GDC anticipates delivering freshly cultivated sea bream to all their group restaurants, excluding those in the Kansai and Kyushu regions. To meet this target, GDC has committed to resolving three primary challenges: ensuring consistent quality, optimizing feed costs, and alleviating the workload of farm workers.
Features of UMITRON CELL®
The UMITRON CELL®, a smart automatic feeder designed specifically for aquaculture, boasts several advanced features:
- - AI-Driven Video Analysis: This technology automatically assesses fish appetite, allowing for optimized feeding, which results in reduced feed costs and less environmental impact.
- - Remote Feeding Management: Farmers can manage multiple enclosures through their smartphones, reducing the need for hazardous offshore labor.
- - Data Accumulation and Legacy: Feeding data, along with feed wastage records, is stored in the cloud, facilitating the transfer of knowledge from seasoned workers to the next generation.
- - Enhanced Growth Efficiency: Through practical trials, feeding volume has been reduced by approximately 20%, all while maintaining size and quality, thereby shortening the growth period.
Implementation Schedule
The introduction of this technology is planned as follows:
- - Initial Phase: 5 feeders have already been installed.
- - End of May 2026: An additional 31 feeders will be set up, bringing the total to 36.
- - By Late July 2026: A further 35 feeders will be added, covering all 71 enclosures entirely.
Expected Outcomes from Implementation
The integration of UMITRON CELL® is expected to yield several beneficial impacts:
- - Standardized Quality: AI-optimized feeding will ensure stable size and quality across all enclosures, facilitating reliable delivery to restaurants.
- - Enhanced Sustainability: By reducing feed costs and minimizing environmental impacts, GDC contributes to a more sustainable aquaculture model.
- - Improved Supply Stability: Enhanced data management will refine production planning, securing a robust supply system for their restaurants.
- - Support for Local Fisheries: By increasing operational efficiency and reducing worker strain, the project will bolster the sustainability of fisheries in Minami-Ise.
Future Prospects
Moving forward, Genki GDC aims to push the boundaries of aquaculture digital transformation using AI and IoT technologies. They are contemplating the expansion into other fish species and further technological enhancements to improve quality and overall production efficiency. The company is committed to ensuring that consumers receive safe and trustworthy domestically sourced fish, thereby giving a face to their producers.
Company Overview
- - Name: Genki Global Dining Concepts, Inc.
- - Stock Code: 9828 (Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard)
- - Location: 19th Floor, Ueno Frontier Tower, 3-24-6 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- - Founded: December 12, 1968
- - Incorporated: July 26, 1979
- - Representative: President and CEO Masuzou Fujio
- - Business: Management of a restaurant chain
- - Website: Genki GDC
- - Mission: To provide joyful experiences through heartfelt dishes that invigorate the world.