Bengaluru-based startup CoRover AI (the creators of BharatGPT) officially launched “Kanha AI”, touted as India’s first voice-first AI companion specifically designed for children aged 0 to 7 years.
Unlike typical smart devices, Kanha AI is built on a philosophy of “imagination over digital distraction,” intentionally eschewing screens and addictive visual stimuli in favor of natural, thoughtful dialogue.
Key Features of Kanha AI
Kanha AI is powered by BharatGPT and is designed to act as a mentor, storyteller, and emotional support system for young children.
- Screenless Design: The device has no display or video capabilities. It interacts solely through voice to prevent “digital fatigue” and protect a child’s eyes and attention span.
- Culturally Rooted: Inspired by the curious and wise spirit of Lord Krishna, the AI is programmed with Indian values, stories, and cultural nuances.
- Contextual Growth: The AI adapts to a child’s specific tone, vocabulary, and interests over time. It remembers previous conversations, allowing for a relationship that “grows” with the child.
- Proactive Engagement: It doesn’t just wait for questions; it offers subtle guidance. It might say, “You seemed quiet today. Want to talk?” or nudge a child toward a learning routine.
- Tactile Safety: Each device is handcrafted, lathe-turned, and lacquered to ensure it is safe for toddlers to touch and hold.
Parental Empowerment & Safety
Because the device is designed for a sensitive age group, CoRover has integrated a robust governance framework managed via a companion app.
| Feature | Description |
| Interaction Summaries | Parents can see a log of what the child and AI discussed. |
| Emotional Alerts | The app notifies parents if it detects signals of bullying, sadness, or medical distress. |
| Active Hours | Parents can set “sleep modes” or active windows to prevent late-night use. |
| Personalized Nudges | Parents can program Kanha to remind the child to brush their teeth, practice music, or call a grandparent. |
The “BharatGPT” Backbone
Kanha AI is a consumer application of CoRover’s BharatGPT, India’s sovereign Large Language Model (LLM). It leverages a localized “Sovereign AI” stack, meaning the data remains within India and the AI is natively trained to understand 14+ Indian languages and local contexts that global models often miss.
“Kanha is not another device competing for attention—it is a voice-first companion rooted in Indian culture, empathy, and conscious parenting.” — Ankush Sabharwal, Founder & CEO of CoRover AI.
Market Context
The launch comes at a time of heightened concern in India regarding children’s screen time. With the Karnataka government recently proposing a phone ban for under-16s, products like Kanha AI are positioning themselves as a “middle path” that provides the benefits of AI-assisted learning without the risks of social media or video addiction.
