Yukai Engineering is known for its innovative and quirky robotic products, especially its classic creation, Amagami Ham Ham, which gained widespread attention for its unique feature of "biting fingers to provide a 'slightly pleasant sensation'." At CES 2025, Yukai introduced its latest robotic product, Mirumi, continuing this tradition.
Mirumi is a fluffy little ball that fits in your wallet, and its uniqueness lies in its ability to "spontaneously turn its head to peek at nearby people," providing a delightful experience for onlookers. Similar to the finger chewing of Amagami Ham Ham, Mirumi is inspired by babies, aiming to mimic the innocence and joy exhibited by infants during interactions.
According to Yukai Engineering, Mirumi expresses baby-like emotions such as curiosity and shyness by moving its head in various ways. The design aims to recreate the joyful feelings people experience when interacting with babies. This product was conceived during the company's internal "Make-a-Thon" event, inspired by mischievous supernatural spirits from Japanese folklore.
Image Source: Yukai Engineering
Mirumi's core technology includes motion sensing and proximity sensing, combined with the ability to tap and move the bag to scan its surroundings. It has several different behavior modes: Curiosity: When the bag starts to move, Mirumi looks around, showing curiosity.
Curiosity: When it detects nearby people or objects, Mirumi turns its head to observe. Shy and Cautious: When a person or object suddenly appears or is tapped, Mirumi turns its head to hide its face, displaying shyness. Rejection: When shaken, Mirumi shakes its head to indicate "no." Comfort: When undisturbed, Mirumi briefly pauses before looking around again.
This little robot not only features fun interactive capabilities but also offers people a unique experience of emotional exchange akin to that with infants, further highlighting Yukai Engineering's distinctive position in the realm of quirky and entertaining robotic products.