Lovable Furry Robotic Pet Clings Onto Your Bag And Observes Its Environment

Image via Yukai Engineering / PR TIMES

Move over, Tamagotchis—there’s a new quirky companion vying for your affection. Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering has unveiled ‘Mirumi’, a small, furry robot that behaves like a bashful baby.

Debuted at CES 2025, Mirumi is a clip-on robot designed to mimic human-like curiosity, complete with round eyes and soft fur that’s impossible to resist petting. It clings onto your carry-all like a sloth. Whether you’re walking through a crowd or sitting quietly, Mirumi’s lifelike reactions are aimed at sparking joy.

Mirumi’s personality lies in its sensors and design. The robot’s distance sensor detects when someone approaches, prompting it to turn its head inquisitively. If you get too close or touch it abruptly, Mirumi backs away, simulating a shy retreat. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) helps it detect movement, allowing it to look around curiously as it “hitches a ride” on your bag or purse.

Inspired by infants and the mischievous yokai spirits of Japanese folklore, Mirumi’s behaviors alternate between those of curiosity, bashfulness, and a touch of defiance, making it feel more like a living companion than a robotic toy. After periods of inactivity, Mirumi—available in pink and gray—resumes its curious head movements, keeping itself engaging even when ignored.

Image via Yukai Engineering / PR TIMES

Mirumi’s arrival coincides with the wave of portable companions like Popmart’s impish Labubu in Asia, even bearing some resemblance to the popular accessory with its fuzzy appearance and large eyes.

Image via Mirumi

Yukai Engineering plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign for Mirumi in mid-2025, pricing it at approximately $70.

mirumiはカバンや腕に抱きついてくれるかわいいロボット。人の気配を感じるとチラ見してきますよ。ユカイ工学さんの最初プロダクトです。#CES2025 #CES pic.twitter.com/EmfuiGVkrb

— 日テレR&Dラボ (@ntv_rd) January 6, 2025

Shunsuke Aoki, Yukai’s CEO, described the robot as a way for people to share happiness with those around them. The company’s previous innovations, including the wagging-tail therapeutic pillow Qoobo, have garnered a reputation for blending tech with emotional connection. Mirumi continues this tradition, aiming to bring companionship into everyday life.

[via TechCrunch and Ubergizmo, images via Yukai Engineering / PR TIMES]