It’s a tale as old as Frankenstein: Man discovers science and tests its limits. Just as people are starting to get bored of the million and one Labubu variants, a Japanese company has introduced a shocking contribution to the bag charm craze: a furry mini-robot charm that reacts to sound and touch. 

Christened “Mirumi,” the questionably cute, slightly unsettling creature was brought to life by Yukai Engineering, which specializes in “Lifestyle Robots.” Like other bag charms, Mirumi is designed to cling tightly onto bag handles, belt loops or straps. But unlike other bag charms, Mirumi is meant to be more than just a fashion accessory — it’s meant to feel like a sentient companion.

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courtesy of Yukai Engineering
courtesy of Yukai Engineering
courtesy of Yukai Engineering

A Cuddly, Interactive Bag Charm 

Looking like a cross between a small yeti, an owl and a Sesame Street character, Mirumi wears a permanently blank expression that could — fittingly — be described as a “Gen-Z stare.” Its arms can wrap around most bag straps, and it’s small enough to fit comfortably in your hands. Mirumi’s exterior is covered in a soft, furry material resembling a teddy bear, in shades of pastel pink, gray and beige. 

Crucially, Mirumi is designed to interact using movement. Motors within its body facilitate the tilting and turning of its head. These movements are triggered by three main inputs: touch, sound and internal actions. 

A sensor in its head detects when a user pets it, while two sound sensors pick up nearby voices or noises. The neck motor allows the robot to look up, and its movements are carefully programmed — sometimes turning away before looking back — to give the impression that it is actively observing its environment. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by mirumi (@mirumi_tokyo)

Mirumi’s Custom Algorithm 

The complexity of Mirumi’s seemingly spontaneous behavior is governed by a special, custom algorithm developed by Yukai Engineering. Drawing on the team’s experience with social robots, this system controls the motor actions, selecting reactions in a non-repetitive manner to make the robot’s responses appear natural. 

The algorithm also initiates “random behavior,” causing Mirumi to move on its own even when external stimuli are absent. Notably, unlike other interactive bag charms, such as Tamagotchi, Mirumi is a completely screen-free device, communicating entirely through physical gestures like nodding, tilting and turning its head to express various emotions like excitement or interest.

For power, Mirumi uses a built-in, rechargeable battery accessible via a Type-C cable on its back. The team even integrated a “natural” way to signal low battery status: Mirumi will slowly shake its head, as though it’s tired after a long day of dealing with you. 

Yukai Engineering is currently seeking support for the project, and expects to begin shipping the final Mirumi device to consumers in May 2026. 

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Updated On December 16, 2025