"Among a sea of new TVs, robovacs, and smart glasses, Yukai Engineering's Mirumi was a unique standout at CES 2025 earlier this year. The tiny robot has no practical purpose other than looking adorable and bringing a smile to people's faces by simulating an inquisitive personality. The company planned to release the companion bot sometime in mid-2025, but mere weeks before the year ends Mirumi is finally available for preorder through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign."
"Yukai Engineering originally expected Mirumi to be priced at around $70, but a lot has happened around the world since January, and the tiny bot will actually cost about twice that. The earliest Kickstarter backers can preorder Mirumi with gray, pink, or ivory fur for 18,360 yen, or around $118 with discounts. If you drag your feet, the crowdfunding pricing will end up at 21,803 yen, or around $140, but that's still discounted from the full retail pricing, which is expected to be $150."
Yukai Engineering created Mirumi as a tiny companion robot that primarily exists to look adorable and simulate an inquisitive, bashful personality. Mirumi attaches to bag straps or handles using long arms and turns and cocks its head to curiously observe surroundings. A distance sensor enables the robot to detect nearby people, focus its gaze, and simulate infant-like shyness by shaking and looking away when touched or surprised. Initial pricing expectations near $70 rose due to global factors, placing early Kickstarter preorders at about ¥18,360 (~$118) or later crowdpriced near ¥21,803 (~$140), with retail near $150. Shipments are expected April 2026, with potential crowdfunding delays.
Read at The Verge
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