iPresence Inc. receives the Minister of State for Special Missions Award for Outstanding Contributions to Promoting Barrier-Free and Universal Design in 2025
~ Recognized for product development that creates learning and interaction opportunities for people who have difficulty participating in society due to illness or disability ~
iPresence Inc. (Headquarters: Higashinada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; CEO: Christopher Chris Francis; hereinafter referred to as "iPresence"), a company that designs next-generation communication, has received the Cabinet Office Minister of State for Special Missions Award for Excellence at the 2025 Barrier-Free and Universal Design Promotion Merit Awards.
This year, 15 organizations from across the country were selected as "2025 Barrier-Free and Universal Design Promotion Meritorious Contributors," and our company was awarded this prestigious prize for its outstanding achievements in promoting barrier-free and universal design.
We are developing a "teleportation as a serviceBased on the concept of "transcending physical distance to teleport people and provide them with opportunities to experience and learn," the organization is working to achieve this. This award recognizes the important role that the organization has played in implementing barrier-free and universal design in society, as it has comprehensively created opportunities for social participation and learning for people who have difficulty going out or attending school due to illness or disability, through solutions that utilize telerobots and metaverse technology.
Overview of the award
The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals or organizations that have made outstanding achievements or contributions in the effective and comprehensive promotion of barrier-free and universal design, and to widely disseminate excellent initiatives.
| Item | Message |
| Award name | FY2025 Barrier-Free and Universal Design Promotion Merit Award Cabinet Office Minister of State for Special Missions Award for Excellence |
| Sponsorship | Cabinet Office |
| Background of the selection | iPresence was selected for its achievements in promoting barrier-free and universal design by using telerobotic technology and other technologies to "provide experiences that transcend physical distance." |
Background of the award: Services and activities provided by iPresence
In receiving this award, the following two initiatives in particular were highly praised as examples of the social implementation of universal design.
1. "Telerobot School Life Participation": Living school life in real time, overcoming physical distance
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Overview:Self-propelledtemiUsing telerobots such as the tabletop Kubi and the portable Telepii, students can "teleport" from remote locations such as hospitals or homes to school classrooms, enabling them to remotely participate in classes and other aspects of school life, as well as gain work experience.
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Business foundation:This project is a social contribution project that has been carried out by the New Media Development Association (a non-profit organization) as a subsidy from the Japan Keirin and Auto Race Association (JKA) since fiscal year 2020. iPresence has been commissioned by the association to carry out related projects and is responsible for providing the technology and part of the operation of this project.
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Metaverse Support: In addition to supporting school commutes with telerobots, the company also operates a "School Life Participation Support Community" that utilizes Metaverse technology. It supports the social participation of a diverse range of children by providing a place for truant children and teachers to connect, and by hosting a "Metaverse Exhibition" where works by students from special needs schools are displayed in the Metaverse space.
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Contribution to universal design: Using technology, we have achieved communication with a sense of presence, creating an environment where people can continue to talk and play with friends even while hospitalized or undergoing treatment. This system is being introduced in a wide range of areas across the country, making a significant contribution to preventing isolation and maintaining learning opportunities.
2. "Anywhere Expo": A large-scale social participation project by a consortium
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Overview: Children who have difficulty going out due to illness or disabilities (special kids) can use the telerobot "temiThis project involved using the robot to remotely explore and experience the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo site. Approximately 4000 special kids were able to freely explore the site via robots and interact with on-site visitors in real time.
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Management structure: This project is run by the Special Kids Future Concept Challenge Consortium, a collaboration between multiple companies and organizations, including iPresence.
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Related awards: This activity won the "Social Innovation" category of the "EXPO INNOVATION AWARD," jointly established by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the Global Institute for Industrial and Social Progress (GISPRI).
3. Multifaceted barrier-free initiatives and evaluation
We believe that this award reflects the comprehensive recognition of our wide-ranging activities, in addition to the major projects mentioned above.
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Education and employment support: We support the career development of the next generation by implementing "trial weeks" for junior high school students and "remote work experience" programs at special needs schools.
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Technological innovation: Proposal for an advanced working environment that transcends physical constraints using the remote welding robot system "Weldemoto" (received the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director-General's Award at the 11th Knowledge Innovation Awards).
Acknowledgments to all involved
We believe that this award recognizes the efforts we have made, which have been made possible with the guidance and support of relevant organizations and individuals. We would especially like to express our deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, who placed high expectations on us and recommended us for this award. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the New Media Development Association, the organizations that make up the Special Kids Future Vision Challenge Consortium, with whom we continue to take on the challenge of "Anywhere Expo," as well as everyone who has provided guidance and recommendations to date.
Future prospects
Building on this award, iPresence Inc. will continue to strive to realize a society where no one has to give up due to physical or environmental constraints, and a universal design society where everyone can expand their potential, through "Teleportation" utilizing telerobotic technology, etc. Furthermore, this initiative is not limited to Japan, and the company is considering expanding it overseas as a new social infrastructure model for remote participation in the education, medical, and public sectors.
