Yukai Engineering, the startup that previously developed a headless robotic companion cat called Qoobo, has announced a new furry bot called Mirumi that is designed to mimic the curiosity of young children. It uses sensors to detect nearby people and objects with its adorable googly eyes, then curiously turns its head to appear to attack. However, that curious appearance has its limits. If the bot is suddenly approached or touched, it will crouch down to mimic shyness.
The company plans to release Mirumi through a crowdfunding campaign launching in mid-2025, with color options including pink and gray fur and expected to cost around $70.
Like Yukai Engineering’s previous robots, Mirumi cannot move on its own or do much more than move its head. But unlike the robot cat Qoobo, which is designed to sit on your lap, Mirumi has a pair of long arms that can be securely attached to the straps or handles of bags such as handbags and backpacks.
Mirumi, which uses a combination of distance sensors and inertial measurement units to detect movement, appears to react in a variety of ways to what it senses. When the bag begins to move, it begins to look around and appears to focus on people or objects detected nearby.
When someone suddenly appears or touches this little robot, it does the opposite and turns its head away to simulate a toddler’s shy reaction. When he’s shaking, he may even shake his head as if he’s saying no, just to pretend he doesn’t like it. After a short period of time when no one interacts with Mirumi, the robot resumes head movements that mimic innocently looking around.
It’s a companion robot, but one that benefits others. “People often feel great joy in sharing their happiness with others, and Mirumi is a robot that makes exactly that possible,” said Shunsuke Aoki, CEO of Yukai Engineering. “Whether you’re on a crowded train or standing in line at the checkout counter, Mirumi always touches people’s hearts with her innocent gaze, causing people to wave at the robot or make funny faces. ”
