Mirumi the furry companion robot is now available on Kickstarter | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Mirumi the furry companion robot is now available on KickstarterComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMirumi the furry companion robot is now available on KickstarterThe little robot that imitates an infant’s curiosity can be preordered now, but still won’t ship until April 2026.The little robot that imitates an infant’s curiosity can be preordered now, but still won’t ship until April 2026.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiDec 3, 2025, 12:00 PM UTCLinkShareUnlike a robovac, Mirumi will never eat a sock or get stuck under furniture. Image: Yukai EngineeringAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.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.Mirumi is available in three colors: ivory, pink, and gray. Image: Yukai EngineeringFollowing the Kickstarter there will be a bit more waiting, as Mirumi isn’t expected to ship until April 2026 at the earliest, but as with any crowdfunded product, it’s not a bad idea to brace yourself for delays.Instead of cleaning floors or mowing your lawn, Mirumi is positioned as a companion robot, but one that will benefit others more often. Using a long pair of arms the robot attaches to bag straps or handles and appears to curiously look around by turning and cocking its head from side to side.RelatedMirumi: cuter or creepier than a Furby?Using a distance sensor Mirumi can also detect nearby people and appear to focus its gaze and attention on them, but will also simulate the bashful response of an infant by shaking and turning its head away when someone suddenly appears or touches it. Mirumi isn’t overpacked with functionality, and that could be its biggest appeal. It just hangs out with you and quietly watches the world go by while occasionally brightening someone’s day with just a look.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsKickstarterCloseKickstarterPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All KickstarterNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsRobotCloseRobotPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All RobotTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularOpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google catches up in AI raceSteam Machine today, Steam Phones tomorrowMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appSilicon Valley is rallying behind a guy who sucksHBO Max’s Mad Men 4K release is the opposite of a remasterThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Mirumi, a companion robot developed by Yukai Engineering, has launched a Kickstarter campaign, marking a notable deviation from traditional robotic applications. The robot’s primary function appears to be purely aesthetic and behavioral mimicry, specifically designed to evoke a sense of childlike curiosity and offer a passive, observational presence. Initial pricing estimates, though subsequently revised due to inflationary pressures, suggested a cost of $118 – $140, representing a discount from the anticipated retail price of $150. This initial pricing reflects the product’s novelty and targeted market, aimed at consumers seeking a non-functional, charming companion.

The Kickstarter campaign highlights a deliberate eschewal of practical utility. Unlike robotic vacuums or lawnmowers, Mirumi doesn’t perform any tasks. Instead, it’s engineered to simulate the behavior of an inquisitive infant – tilting its head, turning its body, and focusing its gaze on nearby individuals, accompanied by a shy reaction when approached. This design relies on a distance sensor to trigger these behaviors, creating an impression of genuine attentiveness. The robot’s design incorporates four arms that can attach to bag straps or handles, further reinforcing this passive yet engaged demeanor.

Significant delays are anticipated regarding the product’s delivery. Shipping is not expected until April 2026, a substantial timeframe indicative of the challenges associated with crowdfunding projects and the complexities of manufacturing and fulfillment, particularly for a product with a unique design and anticipated high demand. This delay also underscores the speculative nature of the investment, relying heavily on the continued appeal of the robot’s aesthetic and behavioral characteristics.

The project’s success underscores a shift in consumer interest toward emotionally driven technological interactions. Instead of tackling mundane tasks, Mirumi offers a product designed to elicit a simple, positive reaction – a moment of amusement or comfort through its gentle, simulated curiosity. This represents a deliberate move away from the increasingly complex and utilitarian functionalities of modern robotics, prioritizing a more evocative and emotionally resonant experience. The company's initial goal focused solely on producing a charming robot that would allow individuals to experience the delight of a child's uninhibited exploration of the world, a design choice that significantly differentiates Mirumi from the broader robotics landscape.