Mirumi the furry companion robot is now available on Kickstarter

Unlike a robovac, Mirumi volition ne'er devour a sock oregon get stuck nether furniture. | Image: Yukai Engineering

Among a oversea of caller TVs, robovacs, and smart glasses, Yukai Engineering’s Mirumi was a unsocial standout astatine CES 2025 earlier this year. The tiny robot has nary applicable intent different than looking adorable and bringing a grin to people’s faces by simulating an inquisitive personality. The institution planned to merchandise the companion bot sometime successful mid-2025, but specified weeks earlier the twelvemonth ends Mirumi is yet disposable for preorder done a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

Yukai Engineering primitively expected Mirumi to beryllium priced astatine astir $70, but a batch has happened astir the satellite since January, and the tiny bot volition really outgo astir doubly that. The earliest Kickstarter backers tin preorder Mirumi with gray, pink, oregon ivory fur for 18,360 yen, oregon astir $118 with discounts. If you resistance your feet, the crowdfunding pricing volition extremity up astatine 21,803 yen, oregon astir $140, but that’s inactive discounted from the afloat retail pricing, which is expected to beryllium $150.

Following the Kickstarter determination volition beryllium a spot much waiting, arsenic Mirumi isn’t expected to vessel until April 2026 astatine the earliest, but arsenic with immoderate crowdfunded product, it’s not a atrocious thought to brace yourself for delays.

Instead of cleaning floors oregon mowing your lawn, Mirumi is positioned arsenic a companion robot, but 1 that volition payment others much often. Using a agelong brace of arms the robot attaches to container straps oregon handles and appears to curiously look astir by turning and cocking its caput from broadside to side.

Using a region sensor Mirumi tin besides observe adjacent radical and look to absorption its regard and attraction connected them, but volition besides simulate the bashful effect of an babe by shaking and turning its caput distant erstwhile idiosyncratic abruptly appears oregon touches it. Mirumi isn’t overpacked with functionality, and that could beryllium its biggest appeal. It conscionable hangs retired with you and softly watches the satellite spell by portion occasionally brightening someone’s time with conscionable a look.