Mirumi clings tightly to handles as a mini attachable robot
Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles and moves its head when users pet it. No longer a prototype, the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it or on it using the ‘special’ algorithm that the design team has developed. To recap, Yukai Engineering, the mastermind behind the project, debuted Mirumi at CES 2025, and back then it was a prototype. Soon, the mini attachable robot is expected to come to life, at least mechanically, as a fashion accessory users can clip on their bag handles and even belt loops.
Mirumi has a head, a body, and two arms that wrap around straps or poles. The shape lets the robot hold onto thin and thick objects without falling, and the compact size of the device can fit in the user’s two hands. Its furry skin resembling teddy bears is soft to touch, and the team says they use materials sourced from Japan and in custom colors to make the device’s smooth finish and its friendly outline. The design team works on how the mini attachable robot Mirumi looks at people, with its neck motor lifting the head to make it look up. The timing of the movement is programmed so the robot sometimes turns away again before it looks back.
all images courtesy of Mirumi Tokyo and Yukai Engineering
portable device that shakes its head slowly when low in battery
To make it move, the Yukai Engineering team installs motors inside the body of the mini attachable robot Mirumi. These motors tilt and turn the head in different directions, and they also help the device respond to three main inputs: sound, touch, and internal triggers. When someone pats the head, a sensor in the head detects the action. When a sound or voice is near, two sound sensors inside the body pick it up. Signals travel through a chip that controls the motor actions, and this system allows many reactions without repeated patterns. Mirumi sometimes moves on its own even when nothing is happening, creating the feeling that the robot is active.
The random behavior comes from a custom algorithm, which selects reactions in a way that appears natural. The team uses experience from earlier social robots to build these responses as well as from their prototype earlier in 2025. For the real-life model, the device comes with a built-in battery, rechargeable using a Type-C cable behind the mini attachable robot. Mirumi also gestures when its battery is low by shaking its head slowly. It’s a way for the team to have a completely screen-free device for telling users it’s time to charge their gadget. Mirumi doesn’t talk, at least for the recent model. It only turns its head, nods, and gently tilts to show excitement, hesitation, or interest. Fans of the mini attachable robot can support the campaign, and the team expects to ship Mirumi in May 2026.
Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles
tthe device also moves its head when users pet it
the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it
users can also attach it around their belt loops
its neck motor lifts the head of the device to make it look up
the team plans to ship the device starting May 2026
project info:
name: Mirumi | @mirumi_tokyo
design: Yukai Engineering | @yukaiengineering
campaign: here
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