iPresence Inc., based in Kobe, Japan, will launch a global Kickstarter campaign for its desktop telepresence AI robot, kubi 2.0, on September 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. Japan time. This is the company's first direct global crowdfunding effort for its own product. The new robot continues the legacy of the original kubi, first offered in Japan in 2015, and has been redesigned in Japan under license from the original United States manufacturer, Xandex.
A Decade of Field Feedback
The original kubi was used in schools, medical and welfare settings, and offices for remote communication. After production ended, many users requested its return, prompting iPresence to redesign the product with domestic manufacturing partners. The new model includes a magnetic tablet mount, a lower center of gravity, quieter operation, and USB Type-C power based on ten years of customer feedback.
Participation Beyond Watching
Kubi 2.0 enables remote users to look around freely and face the person they are speaking with, creating a stronger sense of presence. In education, students receiving medical care can turn the device toward a teacher during class and toward friends during breaks. Pilot programs showed that the experience helped children feel they had a place in the classroom while also reassuring classmates and educators.
Users can operate the robot from a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer and adjust the viewpoint with up to 300 degrees of horizontal rotation and 55 degrees of vertical movement. The device is designed for education, medical and welfare expert participation, meetings, and consultations. A fully charged battery supports up to four hours of continuous operation depending on conditions.
Connecting Supporters With Schools and Hospitals
The Kickstarter campaign includes a donation reward that allows backers to send kubi 2.0 units to schools or hospitals of their choice. iPresence notes that institutions supporting children with long-term illness often struggle to secure budgets for remote participation technology. The reward aims to connect people who want to help with specific needs in the field.
Physical Presence for AI Agents
The robot can also be paired with AI agents to provide a physical presence in reception areas and showrooms. iPresence is developing its own application combining face tracking with AI dialogue and guidance. The company also plans to release an API for external AI agent developers so they can control the robot's movements from their own applications.
Redesigned in Japan for a Global Audience
iPresence is responsible for product planning, design, quality management, and global expansion while working with domestic manufacturing partners on mass production. The Kickstarter campaign will be available in English, and backers from Japan can also participate. Reward shipments are planned for Japan, North America, parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, while donation-only support is open from other regions.
General sales are scheduled to begin on October 15, 2026, with reservations already being accepted. The official Kickstarter project page is available in English at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kubi-2/kubi-20-be-present-from-anywhere, and a Japanese explanation PDF is provided separately. The company hopes that direct feedback from global users will inform future development and broader use of the device.
The launch of kubi 2.0 represents an effort to bring a wider audience a communication experience that goes beyond simple video calls. By combining remote telepresence with emerging AI applications, iPresence is positioning the device as a flexible platform for education, healthcare, business, and automated services. The company hopes the Kickstarter campaign will gather global user feedback and support as it moves toward general sales starting October 15, 2026.