Mirumi is a furry little companion bot that imitates a shy infant

Yukai Engineering, the startup that previously created a headless robotic companion cat called Qoobo, has announced a furry new bot called Mirumi designed to imitate the curiosity of an infant. Using sensors, it detects and appears to inquisitively turn its head to engage nearby people or objects with adorable googly eyes. But its inquisitive appearance has limits: when the bot is suddenly approached or touched, it will duck away to simulate shyness.

The company is planning to make Mirumi available through a crowdfunding campaign launching in mid-2025, with color options including pink and gray fur and pricing expected to be around $70.

Like Yukai Engineering’s previous robots, Mirumi can’t get around on its own or do much more than move its head. But unlike the Qoobo robocat that was designed to rest on your lap, Mirumi has a pair of long arms that can be securely attached to the strap or handle of a bag like a purse or backpack.

Using a combination of a distance sensor and an inertial measurement unit to detect movement, Mirumi appears to react in different ways to what it senses. It will start to look around once a bag begins to move and then appear to focus its gaze on a person or an object detected nearby.

The tiny robot will do the opposite when someone suddenly appears or touches it, turning its head away to simulate the bashful response of an infant. When jiggled, it will even shake its head as if it’s saying no to simulate its dislike. After a short period of no one interacting with Mirumi, the robot will resume its head movements that simulate it looking around innocently.

It’s a companion robot, but one that benefits others. “People often find great joy in sharing their own happiness with others. Mirumi is a robot that enables you to do just that,” says Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki. “Whether you’re riding a crowded train or standing in line at the cashier, your Mirumi will always find a way to reach into people’s hearts with its innocent gaze, prompting the person to wave at the robot or make a funny face in response.”