Kanat Tazhikhan is the founder of Astana Dynamics, a project developing autonomous robots to inspect construction and industrial sites. His earlier work included solar energy and Umit, a device designed to control digital equipment through tongue and head movements. In October 2026, Astana Dynamics won the Growth Engine category at Astana Hub Battle and received $25,000. (digitalbusiness.kz, astanahub.com)
Who Kanat Tazhikhan is
Tazhikhan began technical projects while studying at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Taraz. He joined a robotics club in seventh grade. When the pandemic interrupted classes, he continued learning programming and building devices independently. Other students later joined his projects. (digitalbusiness.kz, news.samsung.com)
His early work shows a recurring practical approach: identify a problem, speak to people affected by it, build a device and seek resources for another version. In an interview about Umit, the team highlighted the contribution of competitions and mentors. They helped clarify the product’s purpose and prepare it for presentations to potential partners. (bluescreen.kz)
Kanat Tazhikhan’s first engineering projects
Working with Baryskhan Kaldybay, Tazhikhan developed an AI-assisted waste-sorting system. In 2023, the team attempted to enter Samsung Solve for Tomorrow with that project. After an unsuccessful selection attempt, the students turned to a different problem: helping people who struggle to operate conventional input devices. (news.samsung.com)
Tazhikhan also worked on solar energy. In September 2024, television channel 24KZ reported on his floating solar installation in Almaty Region. He developed it with physics teacher Yerbolat Kaskarbayev. The design included a panel-cleaning system; before construction, the team studied an operating power station, performed calculations and prepared models. (24.kz)
A school publication in November 2024 confirmed that the solar project received a three-million-tenge grant through the Tauelsizdik Urpaktary programme. It gave Tazhikhan experience with physical equipment beyond a classroom demonstration: the installation had to operate at a real location. (fmsh.nis.edu.kz, 24.kz)
Developing Umit
Umit developed after visits to facilities supporting people with disabilities and discussions with potential users. The students investigated which actions were difficult and which movements people retained. They proposed using tongue and head movements to control a computer and a powered wheelchair. (digitalbusiness.kz)
The device was conceived as an individually fitted mouthpiece. The team described potential uses involving phones, tablets and laptops, including studying and carrying out digital tasks. Development required combining electronics with usability: the device would need to fit an individual user and avoid interfering with everyday activities. (digitalbusiness.kz)
Umit placed third in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2024 and received one million tenge. Tazhikhan said the funding helped the team continue developing its prototype. Mentor David Tuganov supported product development and presentation work, then continued helping after the competition. (news.samsung.com, bluescreen.kz)
In November 2024, Umit won the national stage of Red Bull Basement. The team subsequently attended the international final in Tokyo. In an April 2025 interview, its members discussed work with mentors, support from AMD and Microsoft for Startups, and preparations to develop the project further. (digitalbusiness.kz, bluescreen.kz)
Astana Dynamics and the construction industry
In 2026, Tazhikhan was presenting Astana Dynamics. The project develops autonomous inspection robots intended to move around sites, identify defects and safety issues, and produce digital reports for engineers. Background information is available in the Astana Dynamics Startup Radar profile. (digitalbusiness.kz)
On 24 August 2026, Almaty hosted a Startup Battle aimed at finding technology for the construction industry. Astana Dynamics took second place and received one million tenge. It was also selected among projects for further piloting on BI Group’s business problems. (digitalbusiness.kz, nur.kz)
Access to a potential customer’s operating environment matters at this stage: industrial hardware needs to be tested in the conditions where it is intended to work. Selection for piloting offered the team that opportunity. RAEM includes inspection robots in its overview of technology for industrial facilities. (digitalbusiness.kz)
Astana Hub Battle and further plans
In October 2026, Astana Dynamics won the Growth Engine category at Astana Hub Battle. The organiser reported a $25,000 prize. Commenting on the result, Tazhikhan discussed the opportunity to present the solution to a broad audience and obtain feedback. (astanahub.com)
He identified attracting customers and entering new markets among the next priorities. Those plans follow a sequence of different engineering projects: a solar installation, the Umit control device and robotic inspection. In each, Tazhikhan sought somewhere to test the work and support that would allow development to continue. (astanahub.com, 24.kz, bluescreen.kz)
Timeline
- 2023 — entered the Solve for Tomorrow selection process with a waste-sorting system.
- 2024 — built a floating solar installation in Almaty Region.
- 2024 — Umit placed third in Solve for Tomorrow and received one million tenge.
- November 2024 — Umit won the national Red Bull Basement competition.
- August 2026 — Astana Dynamics placed second at the construction Startup Battle.
- October 2026 — won Growth Engine at Astana Hub Battle and received $25,000. (news.samsung.com, 24.kz, digitalbusiness.kz, astanahub.com)
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Astana Dynamics?
Kanat Tazhikhan founded the project. His earlier work included Umit and a solar installation. (digitalbusiness.kz, 24.kz)
Where did Kanat Tazhikhan study?
He studied at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Taraz. Publications from 2024 identified him as a twelfth-grade student. (fmsh.nis.edu.kz, 24.kz)
What is Astana Dynamics developing?
Autonomous robots for inspecting construction and industrial sites and producing digital reports for engineers. (digitalbusiness.kz)
What award did the company receive in October 2026?
Astana Dynamics won the Growth Engine category at Astana Hub Battle and received $25,000. (astanahub.com)
