StackChan: Kawaii Co-Created Open-Source AI Desktop Robot

BackerBuzz
Jan 9
2 min read

Meet Your New Desktop Bestie: Stack-chan the Open Source AI Robot

If you have ever wanted a tiny robot friend that actually has a personality, M5Stack has exactly what you need. They have officially launched the Kickstarter for Stack-chan, a "Kawaii" desktop robot that is as smart as it is cute. Built on a foundation of open-source spirit, this little guy is designed to be co-created by its community of owners.

Project Overview

Name and Creator: Stack-chan: Kawaii Co-Created Open-Source AI Desktop Robot by M5Stack.

What It Is: Stack-chan is a small, modular desktop robot powered by the M5Stack ecosystem. It features an animated face, voice assistant capabilities, and a fully programmable "brain." Unlike closed-system toys, Stack-chan is an open-source platform. This means you can change its software, modify its hardware, or even 3D print new shells for it.

Status: The project is currently active and has already raised over $130,000, well beyond its $10,000 goal. The campaign ends on February 12, 2026.

Key Features

Expressive Personality: Stack-chan uses its screen to show a wide variety of "kawaii" emotions. It can look happy, curious, or sleepy, and it reacts to your voice and touch with physical movements.

AI Voice Assistant: It can act as a personal assistant on your desk. You can chat with it to get answers to questions, set reminders, or control your smart home devices using simple voice commands.

Open Source Everything: Every part of Stack-chan is open. This includes the software, firmware, and hardware designs. Makers can use MicroPython or Arduino to create entirely new behaviors.

Home Guardian Mode: You can use Stack-chan as a tiny security bot. It can keep an eye on your space and send alerts to your phone if it notices unexpected movement.

Modular Expandability: Since it is part of the M5Stack family, you can easily snap on extra sensors, buttons, or batteries to give your robot new powers.

Rewards

Standard Kit: Backers can grab the basic Stack-chan kit at a discounted "Early Bird" price.

Pre-Assembled Version: For those who want to skip the build process, there are options for fully assembled units.

Delivery: Shipping for the initial batches is estimated to begin in early to mid-2026.

Concept

The core concept is "Co-Creation." M5Stack didn't want to just sell a finished product. They wanted to build a platform where the community decides what the robot becomes. Whether you want a desk buddy that tells jokes or a serious IoT controller that monitors your air quality, the hardware is flexible enough to handle both.

Inspiration

Stack-chan started as a fan project by Japanese developer Shinya Ishikawa. It gained a massive following in the maker community because of its charming design and open nature. M5Stack, a leader in modular hardware, saw the potential to turn this DIY project into a polished, accessible product for everyone. They worked closely with the original creator to ensure the Kickstarter version stayed true to the open-source roots that made it famous.

StackChan Robot - Kickstarter