Do you remember Mirumi, the clip-on robot that garnered a lot of attention and praise at CES earlier this year? Well, Yukai Engineering, the Tokyo-based robotics studio behind the robot, has finally made Mirumi available for preorder. As Yukai prefers, and we have seen with its crowdfunding campaigns in the past, Mirumi is also launched via Kickstarter with the same features and functionalities as teased during CES 2025.
The prototype robot displayed in Las Vegas was seen clinging to bag handles and moving its head when someone petted it. Engadget, which then had a hands-on experience with the same, admitted being “instantly melted” while interacting with Mirumi. Meanwhile, TechCrunch, which also took a close look at the robot, pointed out that its purpose was not functionality but feeling, thereby creating a small, creature-like presence that sparks a connection between the owner and passerby.
Physically, Mirumi is a soft, plush companion equipped with long, sloth-like arms that clip securely onto a bag, purse, or backpack strap, and uses sensors to pick up nearby movement. When someone approaches, it gently tilts its head or glances to the side in a way that feels surprisingly organic. If touched, it sometimes stiffens slightly, ducks, or turns away, an intentionally bashful response that, according to Yukai Engineering, is “modeled after the way infants react to unfamiliar attention.”
The final version of the robot retains all the highlighted features, except the price expected at its introduction in January. It is reportedly twice as high at the crowdfunding launch. That said, the device responds to three main inputs: touch, sound, and internal trigger, which causes the robot to turn its head on its own to delight bystanders. Unlike productivity-focused robotics or vaporware AI-generated scam robots, Mirumi isn’t built to assist with chores or automate tasks. Instead, it exists for a much more delightful purpose, which is to “steal a glance and your heart,” as the campaign tagline aptly puts it.
Design-focused outlets have also praised Mirumi’s adorable form factor. designboom highlighted its expressive googly eyes and the careful balance of its head-to-body weight ratio that allows the robot to stay firmly hooked onto straps while still moving fluidly. For the time being, the robots are available in three colors: ivory, pink, and gray.
Also Read: Emotionally Intelligent Yonbo AI-Powered Home Robot Doubles as Tutor and Play Pal
Yukai Engineering has long experimented with affective robotics. The company has created half a dozen devices that make people feel rather than perform tasks. Previous products, such as Qoobo, the tail-wagging therapeutic cushion, and Fufu, a cat-shaped bot that blows on your hot beverage to prevent tongue burn, have left people contented, and the company expects Mirumi to go in the same direction.
For backers seeking a clip-on robot that blends charm with sophisticated motion awareness, Mirumi’s Kickstarter campaign offers the best opportunity to secure the device at its lowest available price before it enters market. Early-bird tiers, which started around $118 are all gone, but you can still snag a unit for $134. Deliveries are expected by April 2026.
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