Robots Transform Fish Harvesting with Humane Killing Tech

Shinkei Systems is pioneering a new era in seafood harvesting with its Poseidon robot, a refrigerator-sized machine installed on fishing boats. This AI-powered device scans each fish, identifies its species, and locates the brain. Within seconds of being caught, it instantly kills the fish, preventing stress hormones and lactic acid from affecting flavor and shelf life.

This technology is an automated, industrial-scale adaptation of the Japanese ike jime technique. By ensuring rapid, humane death and immediate blood draining, Shinkei preserves fish quality for extended aging, enhancing the concentrated, umami-rich flavor sought after in high-end sashimi.

The company has expanded its operations beyond just the killing machine, describing itself as a vertically integrated fish harvester and processor. Shinkei provides Poseidon machines to fishermen for free and offers a premium price for their catch, taking full possession of the fish.

These fish are then transported to Shinkei's processing plant in Tacoma, Washington, where they are prepared and sold under the consumer brand Seremoni, marketed as "ceremony grade" fish. This premium product is currently featured at Erewhon grocery stores in Los Angeles and is supplied to restaurants holding a combined 50 Michelin stars.

Shinkei's approach addresses significant issues in the American seafood supply chain, including substantial product loss due to spoilage between the dock and the store. The company also aims to counter the common practice of freezing U.S.-caught fish and shipping it overseas for processing, a system that has faced scrutiny regarding labor practices.

Founders Fund is backing Shinkei's bet that re-shoring the entire process—catch, kill, process, and distribute—can be done profitably. This strategic investment aligns with the firm's pattern of supporting founders in less fashionable, hardware-centric industries, aiming to build companies that solve complex physical-world challenges.