Revolve Robotics
Revolve Robotics developed the Kubi telepresence robot, a Bluetooth-enabled mechanical pan/tilt stand that turns tablets into remote-controlled video conferencing endpoints for education, healthcare, business, and consumer use. The company ceased operations in 2017 and was acquired by manufacturer Xandex Inc. in 2019.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Revolve Robotics does
Revolve Robotics Inc. was a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2012 that developed the Kubi telepresence robot, a Bluetooth 4.0+-enabled mechanical stand that turns a standard 7-13 inch tablet into a remotely controllable, pan-and-tilt telepresence endpoint. The flagship Kubi Classic (priced at $600) supports 300 degrees of pan and +/-45 degrees of tilt, while the Kubi Plus extends the same motion capabilities to 10-13 inch tablets; companion software (Kubi Connect apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac) overlays pan/tilt controls on top of any major video conferencing platform, including Zoom, Skype, WebEx, GoToMeeting, and Vidyo, without requiring native API integration.
The company targeted five primary use cases: education (remote attendance for homebound or hybrid students), healthcare (telemedicine in clinical, rural, and home settings), business (engaging remote meeting presence), customer service (remote reception and support), and consumer use (social presence). Distribution ran through direct e-commerce on kubiconnect.com, an authorized reseller network spanning the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the BeNeLux region, plus phone/email order intake, with a live Zoom-based demo program targeted at organizations deploying 5+ units. Average revenue per unit was low (Kubi Classic at $600 plus accessories ranging $25-$180), and the business model was a one-time hardware sale with optional extended warranty rather than recurring subscription.
The original Revolve Robotics entity wound down operations in May 2017 after raising approximately $2.1M across four rounds (2012-2015) from Lemnos VC, Acer, Hitomedia, and Xandex Investments LLP. Manufacturing partner Xandex Inc., a diversified technology company founded in 1981, assumed all sales and support activities and completed the acquisition of Revolve Robotics' assets and intellectual property in January 2019. The Kubi product line continues to operate as a small hardware line within Xandex, with software updates released through 2021, manufactured at Xandex's Petaluma, California facility.
Revolve Robotics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Revolve Robotics
- Legal name
- Revolve Robotics Inc.
- Website
- https://kubiconnect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Revolve Robotics developed the Kubi telepresence robot, a Bluetooth-enabled mechanical pan/tilt stand that turns tablets into remote-controlled video conferencing endpoints for education, healthcare, business, and consumer use. The company ceased operations in 2017 and was acquired by manufacturer Xandex Inc. in 2019.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Revolve Robotics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telepresence Robotics
- NAICS
- Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK)
Keywords
Where Revolve Robotics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Revolve Robotics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Revenue from sale of Kubi telepresence robots (Classic and Plus models) and accessories including Enhanced Audio Kit, Tripod Stand, and Arm Conversion Kit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kubi Classic for 7-10 inch tablets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kubi Enhanced Audio Kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kubi Tripod Stand |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kubi Plus Arm Conversion Kit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Extended Warranty |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Revolve Robotics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Revolve Robotics designs, manufactures, and sells the Kubi telepresence robot line — physical robot stands that hold a tablet and allow a remote user to pan (300 degrees) and tilt (+/- 45 degrees) during video calls for an affordable, portable telepresence experience. The product portfolio includes the Kubi Classic (for 7-10 inch tablets) and Kubi Plus (for 10-13 inch tablets) robots, companion Kubi Connect control applications for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, plus accessories (Enhanced Audio Kit, Tripod Stand, Arm Conversion Kit) and an extended warranty. All sales, support, and manufacturing are currently operated by Xandex Inc. after Revolve Robotics' 2019 asset acquisition.
Product overview
Revolve Robotics, now fully owned by Xandex Inc. following the January 2019 asset acquisition, offers the Kubi telepresence robot product line. Kubi turns tablets into web-controlled telepresence robots that enable remote users to pan and tilt during video conferences, creating the sensation of being physically present. The core product line consists of two robot models: Kubi Classic (for 7-10 inch tablets) and Kubi Plus (for 10-13 inch tablets). Control is enabled through the Kubi Connect software ecosystem, comprising mobile apps for Apple iOS and Android (for mounting tablets), plus desktop widgets for Windows and Mac (for remote controlling). Accessories include the Enhanced Audio Kit, Tripod Stand, and Plus Arm Conversion Kit. The original Revolve Robotics ceased operations in May 2017, with Xandex assuming sales and support at that time.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kubi Classic: Kubi Classic for 7-10 inch tablets is a low cost, portable telepresence solution that gives the remote user the ability to look around the room and be part of the conversation.
- Kubi Plus
- Kubi Enhanced Audio Kit
- Kubi Tripod Stand
- Kubi Plus Arm Conversion Kit
- Kubi Connect Apps
Products and services
- Kubi Classic Portable telepresence robot that holds 7-10 inch tablets and enables remote users to pan (300 degrees) and tilt (+/- 45 degrees) during video calls, giving the appearance of being physically present in the room; connects via Bluetooth 4.0+; priced at $600.
- Kubi Plus Telepresence robot with extended arms designed for 10-13 inch tablets; supports 300 degree pan and +/- 45 degree tilt; larger tablets (11 and 12.9 inch) should only be used in landscape orientation to prevent tipping; pricing not publicly disclosed.
- Kubi Connect App for Apple iOS Mobile application for Apple iPad and iPhone that connects to Kubi via Bluetooth 4.0+ and enables local and remote pan/tilt control during video conferences; also supports remote control of a Kubi from a second iOS device.
- Kubi Connect App for Android Mobile application for Android tablets and smartphones that connects to Kubi via Bluetooth 4.0+; compatible with 2017+ Chromebooks running Android apps; enables local and remote Kubi control during video calls.
- Kubi Connect Windows Widget Desktop application (Version 1.2) for Windows 10 that provides an overlay control panel enabling remote Kubi control from a Windows laptop or desktop computer during video conferences; distributed as a downloadable .zip and installed as .exe.
- Kubi Connect Mac Widget Desktop widget (Version 1.2.1) for Mac OS that provides an overlay control panel enabling remote Kubi control from a Mac or MacBook computer during video conferences.
- Kubi Enhanced Audio Kit Accessory package including a stereo directional shotgun microphone, 2-watt rechargeable speaker with anti-clipping features, mounting bracket, and USB/AC charger; compatible with all Kubi models; enhances audio pickup and output in larger rooms and group settings; priced at $180.
- Kubi Tripod Stand Lightweight tripod stand (3.85 lbs) with adjustable height mounting from 32 inches to 61.5 inches; quick-twist height adjustment, folding tripod legs with rubber end caps; includes 1/4-20 threaded camera adapter for Kubi mounting; priced at $90.
- Kubi Plus Arm Conversion Kit Upgrade kit that converts Kubi Classic (with short arms for 7-10 inch tablets) to Kubi Plus with longer arms capable of holding 10-13 inch tablets; includes one pair of Kubi Plus arms, required Allen wrench, and illustrated installation instructions; priced at $120.
- Kubi Extended Warranty Extended warranty service offering one additional year of coverage beyond the standard one-year warranty; priced at $25 per unit; can be added to cart when purchasing Kubi Classic, Plus, or Secure models.
Quantifiable outcome
- Kubi has been successfully tested to over 1 million motion cycles
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Revolve Robotics
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Revolve Robotics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature7 records
Revolve Robotics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Revolve Robotics Inc.coreSan Francisco startup that originally created and developed the Kubi telepresence robot. Entered investment and manufacturing agreement with Xandex in 2015. Wound down operations in May 2017 with Xandex acquiring their assets and IP.
- Exaptec (Australia)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in Australia
- Active Group NL (BeNeLux)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller covering Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg
- Special Needs Computers (Canada)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in Canada
- Princeton Ltd. (Japan)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in Japan
- iPresence LLC (Japan)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in Japan
- Telepresence Gear (USA)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in USA
- Telepresencerobots.com (USA)minorAuthorized Kubi reseller in USA
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Revolve Robotics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- iRobot: Largest US consumer robotics company (Roomba vacuums, Braava mops). Established consumer robotics brand with mass-market retail distribution and manufacturing scale that Kubi/Petaluma lacks.
- Logitech: Dominant PC and video-conferencing peripherals vendor (webcams, conference cameras, presentation remotes). Indirectly competes via AI auto-framing webcams and high-end conference cameras that substitute for Kubi's pan/tilt function.
Direct peers
- Ava Robotics: MIT-spin-out producing telepresence robots for enterprise/hospital settings with autonomous navigation. Overlaps Kubi's healthcare and business use cases at the higher end of the market.
- OhmniLabs: Builds customizable telepresence robots on an in-house 3D-printed platform serving healthcare and education customers. Direct competition in affordable tablet-mounted remote-presence hardware.
- Suitable Technologies (BeamPro): Producer of the Beam telepresence robot, a more enterprise-grade, larger-format remote-presence system used in hospitals, offices, and education. Competes in the same telepresence-with-pan-tilt-movement category as Kubi.
- Temi: Autonomous personal telepresence and service robot with a tablet-like display, marketed for healthcare, retail, hospitality, and home use. Comparable in form factor and target verticals to Kubi but with mobile autonomy.
- Double Robotics: Maker of the Double telepresence robot, which similarly pairs an iPad with a wheeled self-balancing base for remote presence. Closest direct competitor to Kubi in tablet-based telepresence robotics.
Emerging players
- PadBot: Chinese manufacturer of tablet-mounted telepresence robots targeted at consumer and SMB markets. Comparable product design (tablet on pan/tilt base) at similar price points, primarily distributed across Asia.
- Fellow Robots: Service robotics company building retail and healthcare robot platforms with telepresence and autonomous navigation capabilities. Overlaps Kubi's customer service and healthcare verticals.
- Blue Frog Robotics (Buddy): France-based social/companion robotics company producing Buddy, an expressive tabletop robot with telepresence and home-assistant features. Adjacent category addressing consumer/family remote-presence scenarios Kubi targets.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Revolve Robotics social profiles
Digital presenceRevolve Robotics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Revolve Robotics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Revolve Robotics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Revolve Robotics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Revolve Robotics
What does Revolve Robotics do?
Revolve Robotics designs, manufactures, and sells the Kubi telepresence robot line — physical robot stands that hold a tablet and allow a remote user to pan (300 degrees) and tilt (+/- 45 degrees) during video calls for an affordable, portable telepresence experience. The product portfolio includes the Kubi Classic (for 7-10 inch tablets) and Kubi Plus (for 10-13 inch tablets) robots, companion Kubi Connect control applications for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, plus accessories (Enhanced Audio Kit, Tripod Stand, Arm Conversion Kit) and an extended warranty. All sales, support, and manufacturing are currently operated by Xandex Inc. after Revolve Robotics' 2019 asset acquisition.
Is Revolve Robotics a public or private company?
Revolve Robotics is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Revolve Robotics founded?
Revolve Robotics was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Revolve Robotics based?
Revolve Robotics is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Revolve Robotics make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Sales.
Who are Revolve Robotics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are iRobot and Logitech. Direct peers are Ava Robotics, OhmniLabs, Suitable Technologies (BeamPro), Temi and Double Robotics. Emerging players are PadBot, Fellow Robots and Blue Frog Robotics (Buddy).
Does Revolve Robotics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Revolve Robotics.
What industry is Revolve Robotics in?
Revolve Robotics's product category is Telepresence Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAL, Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors), with a secondary code of HDAAAIAK, Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins). Its NAICS code is 334118 and its SIC code is 3670.