Last year, robots began entering various sectors, including households. But who says robots need to be large to be entertaining? Yukai Engineering demonstrated otherwise with their two mini robots introduced at CES 2025, which are not only cute but also functional.
The new mini robots from Yukai Engineering are Nékojita FuFu and Mirumi. Nékojita FuFu, meaning “cat tongue,” is designed for those with low tolerance for hot food, a common issue in Japan. It addresses the awkwardness of manually blowing on food to cool it, which is considered unhygienic.
Nékojita FuFu attaches to a cup or bowl and blows air to cool the food, using a special algorithm to mimic the action of blowing for maximum effect.
Mirumi, resembling a miniature owl or sloth-like yokai, can be attached to a purse. While it isn’t functional like Nékojita FuFu, it surprises users by turning its head toward them, using motion and proximity sensors.
The company states that the Nékojita FuFu was “designed to recreate the joyful experience of noticing a human baby attempting to interact with them.”
Regarding availability, Yukai Engineering plans to release the Nékojita FuFu in mid-2025, with a price tag of $25. The release date and price for the Mirumi are still undisclosed, but it is expected to be priced similarly to the Nékojita FuFu. What do you think of these robots? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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