Mirumi: A Charm Robot that Steals a Glance—and Your Heart
- BackerBuzz
- Dec 4
- 2 min read
It spontaneously turns to you, and its innocent gaze instantly lights up your heart, and your day.
The Robot That Does Nothing But Steal Your Heart: Mirumi
In a tech world obsessed with efficiency and "smart" assistants, Yukai Engineering, the quirky Japanese team behind the tail-wagging pillow Qoobo, is back with a refreshing counter-offer: a robot that does absolutely nothing useful. Meet Mirumi, a fuzzy, clip-on companion designed solely to be cute, shy, and emotionally engaging.
Project Overview
Name and Creator: Mirumi by Yukai Engineering.
What It Is: Mirumi is described as a "charm robot" or "mascot robot." It is a small, furry automaton with big googly eyes and long, sloth-like arms designed to clip onto your backpack, purse, or even your wrist. It doesn't answer emails, track your steps, or play music. Instead, it rides along with you, observing the world with a child-like curiosity.
Key Features
Emotional Mimicry: Mirumi is programmed to mimic the behavior of a shy infant or a curious pet. It uses internal sensors to detect movement and the presence of others.
Interactive Gaze: When you are walking, Mirumi will look around curiously. If it spots a stranger, it might lock eyes with them. However, if someone approaches too suddenly or tries to pet it aggressively, Mirumi will get "shy" and bury its face in its chest to hide.
Subtle Communication: Unlike loud toys, Mirumi is silent. It communicates purely through head tilts, gazes, and subtle vibrations, making it an unobtrusive companion for public transit or office environments.
Clip-On Design: Its arms function as a secure clip, allowing it to tag along on bag straps or handles, turning your daily commute into a shared adventure.
Reward
Kickstarter Pricing:
Early Bird: Lucky backers can adopt a Mirumi for approximately $118 (¥18,360).
Standard Pledge: The regular Kickstarter price sits around $140, which is still a discount off the expected $150 retail price.
Variations: It is available in three soft colors: Gray, Pink, and Ivory.
Delivery: Shipping is currently estimated for April 2026.
Concept
The core concept behind Mirumi is "emotional resonance." Yukai Engineering wants to recreate the fleeting, heartwarming connection strangers feel when they lock eyes with a baby in a carrier or a puppy in a bag. By creating a robot that is "dependent" and "shy," they trigger the user's natural instinct to nurture and protect, fostering a bond that goes deeper than standard consumer electronics.
Inspiration
The idea for Mirumi was born during an internal "Make-a-Thon" at Yukai Engineering in 2024. The team wanted to create a modern-day Yokai (a Japanese spirit/monster)—not a scary one, but a friendly, mischievous presence that embodies the innocence of a human child. They were specifically inspired by the way a baby's gaze can spontaneously delight bystanders, creating a ripple effect of happiness in public spaces.
