"Towards Safe Maritime Navigation: Making Autonomous Navigation the Global Standard" Yujin Kimura, Eight Knot

Fascinated by his beloved sea, Kimura founded his company after a "terrible" first sailing experience. We spoke with him about his challenges in developing the autonomous navigation platform "Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN" to make maritime navigation safer worldwide, how he overcame those obstacles, and his message for future entrepreneurs.

――Could you tell us about your background and the journey that led to founding Eight Knot?

I studied at California State University in the United States and then joined Apple Japan after graduation. I was in charge of iPod sales strategy, among other responsibilities. I later moved to DeAgostini Japan, where I served as the head of the robotics business, including the communication robot 'Robi.'After that, I launched new businesses at BALMUDA before becoming an independent freelancer.

Through multiple career changes, I gradually developed a stronger desire to accomplish something through my efforts. Particularly through my experience at BALMUDA, I realized that a company organization is essentially a structure for bringing the founder's vision to life. During my time as a freelancer, I began to think about doing something that could make a bigger impact.

――Could you share more specifically what inspired you to start the company?

It all started with my love for the sea. I enjoyed scuba diving since my student days and obtained a boat license. However, when I tried operating a boat, the experience was 'terrible' (laughs).

Compared to automobile mobility, boats were about 30 years behind. For instance, even fishing requires learning to use GPS, constantly adjusting the boat's direction due to wind and waves, and being careful not to tangle fishing lines in the propeller. This simple question of 'why is this so difficult?' led me to research maritime technology, which became the catalyst for starting the company.

――Could you tell us about Eight Knot's current business activities?

In simple terms, we're developing autonomous navigation technology for boats. More precisely, we're developing and providing a navigation assistance system that utilizes autonomous navigation technology. We mainly focus on a position-holding system for the marine civil engineering industry.

Position-holding is a technology that keeps a vessel in a fixed location. This requires dropping a large anchor for stabilization, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and presents safety challenges. Our system automates this process, improving both operational efficiency and safety.

In the future, we plan to provide the autonomous navigation software itself to various manufacturers and shipyards. We aim to make our 'AI CAPTAIN' autonomous navigation platform the industry standard.

――Have you faced any challenges entering the maritime industry without prior experience in the field?

Industry professionals often tell me, 'It's surprising you chose to enter such a challenging industry.' It's heavily regulated and quite intense. However, once we started, many people offered their help.

Everyone had thought about this technology as something that would be nice to have, but various hurdles prevented its development. When we, as outsiders, raised our hand and said, 'We'll do it,' we received tremendous support. Perhaps being industry outsiders allows us to approach challenges from a fresh perspective.

――Could you tell us more about why you chose to develop your business in Hiroshima?

We founded the company in March 2021, and the following month, we were selected for Hiroshima Prefecture's acceleration program. There were three main reasons for choosing Hiroshima.

First, from a technical development standpoint, conducting tests in the Seto Inland Sea environment was a significant advantage. Developing new technology requires testing in a stable environment.

Second, Hiroshima has many islands, which present business opportunities. For example, some islands can only be accessed through other islands, creating inconveniences for maritime transportation. Autonomous navigation technology could help solve these mobility constraints.

Third, my co-founder, Yokoyama, is an alumnus of Hiroshima National College of Maritime Technology. He spent 5-6 years at a college on an island, experiencing firsthand the inconveniences and challenges of island life. His experience and familiarity with the area supported our decision to develop our business in Hiroshima.

――How do you view the regulatory challenges?

The international law framework for autonomous navigation is scheduled to be completed in January 2028, with Japanese rule development following. However, we're proceeding with what we can do within current legal frameworks rather than waiting.

Our current navigation assistance system is equivalent to the automotive industry's ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Under current laws, as long as the system is used under the captain's supervision, there are no issues. We're building up real-world experience step by step while preparing for future fully autonomous operations.

――What has been particularly challenging since founding the company?

While fundraising has always been a tightrope walk, I find building an organization that adapts to the company's different phases the most challenging.

Until now, we've used seed round funding to advance technology development and validate our product. However, moving into actual business deployment, we must customize solutions for customer needs and ensure stable operation. We're currently focusing most on establishing the organizational structure necessary for this.

Even with an organization of about 20 people, each person has different characteristics and motivations. Their suitable roles don't always align with what they want to do. We're wrestling with how to design systems and mechanisms, including incentive structures, to keep the entire team moving in the same direction.

――How are you addressing these challenges?

Our strength lies in having three co-founders who can share these challenges. Instead of dealing with issues alone, we find solutions through close communication.

For example, discussing problems with Yokoyama and Dotani (co-founders) helps me avoid shouldering everything myself. Just talking things through often helps organize my thoughts and generates new perspectives.

I have tremendous respect for startup founders who make all decisions alone. They handle everything from fundraising to business development, organization building, and recruitment by themselves. I couldn't imagine doing that.

――Could you share more specific details about your future vision?

While we say we aim to become a unicorn company, that's a result rather than our purpose. Our true goal is to install our system on every vessel worldwide, creating an environment where all ships can navigate safely.

This requires global business expansion, which results in the need to become a unicorn company. An IPO is one means to achieve this goal.

However, we must take realistic steps rather than aim for this in one leap. We're currently focusing on building a track record in marine civil engineering, but we're looking to expand into broader applications like passenger ships and leisure boats. Passenger ships, in particular, involve human lives, so demonstrating safety and gaining trust is extremely important.

We aim to have our system installed on every vessel worldwide, realizing safe maritime transportation. To achieve this, we need to become the industry standard. Like the old 'Intel Inside' for personal computers, we aim to have Eight Knot's technology recognized as the standard.

――Finally, do you have a message for aspiring entrepreneurs?

What I value most is 'continuing to change.' While having solid skill sets is essential, becoming too fixated on them can make it challenging to adapt to significant changes. Continuing to evolve with the environment leads to personal growth.

Also, it's essential not to be too proud and to be open to advice from others. You can incorporate what resonates with you and leave what doesn't. Keep learning and make even a small step forward from yesterday. These accumulated small changes ultimately create significant transformation.

Editor's Note

Throughout the interview with Kimura, his genuine passion consistently shone through. His sincere enthusiasm is evident in his approach to solving island route challenges, driven by the simple feeling that "I love the sea." His eyes sparkled throughout our conversation as he discussed pursuing his ideals on the ocean while facing various challenges.

While many wonder why he chose such a challenging path from a different industry, it became naturally clear during our conversation why so many people want to support him. It must be Kimura's sincerity that draws others to him.

Each of his words carried an unwavering belief in his love for the sea and an entrepreneur's resolve unafraid of change. It was an interview that allowed us to experience his pure and warm passion.

Eight Knot : https://8kt.jp/en

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