With its rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and abundant wildlife, Ōtepoti Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island is one of the most breathtaking areas in the world. Captivated by its beauty during a recent visit, Brazilian textile artist Vanessa Barragão crafted an extraordinary hand-tufted artwork inspired by the region.

Barragão is known for her stunning, nature-inspired textile art that celebrates the world’s ecosystems, and Dunedin, completed in 2024, is no exception. The massive 4.5 x 3.7-meter piece beautifully captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors of New Zealand’s landscapes through colorful wool yarn. Using the tufting technique, Barragão brings blue bays, sandy beaches, and rolling hills to life with stunning three-dimensional detail.

Dunedin isn’t just a stunning work of art—it’s practical too. Designed as a giant rug, it invites you to lounge among its soft, textured landscapes. Barragão even added detachable “hills” that double as backrests or seats, blending beauty with functionality. Every inch of the piece highlights the artist’s remarkable talent for translating natural landscapes into incredible textile art. And if Barragão’s previous work is anything to go by, Dunedin likely took hundreds of hours to complete.

For Barragão, completing Dunedin marks a significant milestone in her artistic journey. “This piece not only celebrates the launch of a new collection, but also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Studio and everything it stands for,” she shares. “From my team, family, and all of you who follow me! Thank you for this journey, and may we continue together!”

Check out Dunedin in detail below and follow Barragão on Instagram for more of her incredible textile art.

Brazilian textile artist Vanessa Barragão crafted an extraordinary hand-tufted artwork inspired by the Ōtepoti Dunedin region in New Zealand.

The massive 4.5 x 3.7-meter piece beautifully captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors of the landscape through colorful wool yarn.

Using the tufting technique, Barragão brings blue bays, sandy beaches, and rolling hills to life with stunning three-dimensional detail.

Barragão even added detachable “hills” that double as backrests or seats.

 

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Vanessa Barragão: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vanessa Barragão.

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READ: Textile Art Captures the Lush Beauty of New Zealand’s Rugged Landscapes

 

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Tokyo's Harajuku district has long been regarded as a hub for culture and street fashion. As such, it was the perfect spot for Takashi Murakami to take over with his Louis Vuitton collaboration. To celebrate the relaunch of their colorful line, which includes a striking campaign starring Zendaya, the artist has brought his vibrant designs to a pop-up store, a coffee shop, and a railway station.

Adding a touch of color and whimsy to the daily commutes of those who call Tokyo home, Murakami covered parts of the famous JR Harajuku station with his cheerful motifs. Pictures shared by the artist on Instagram show the stairs leading from the station platform to the ticket gates transformed into a lively photo op.

The pop-up store was opened on Harajuku’s Cat Street, known for being home to many fashion retailers. The green glass façade of the venue was decorated with oversized motifs, immersing visitors in the collection before they even set foot in the pop-up. Inside, minimalist modules inspired by Japan's famous capsule hotels exhibit new pieces and archival items from the original 2003 collection.

The nearby Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton café by Coffee Zingaro rounded out the experience. The stars of the show were matcha lattes featuring latte art of Murakami’s world-famous Superflat flowers, as well as cookies and pastries featuring these designs. The coffee shop also boasts digital installations and a giant panda sculpture that welcomes visitors with a wide smile.

While Louis Vuitton has opened similar experiences in fashion hubs such as New York City and Milan, there is something special about the events in Murakami's hometown. After all, they allow a wider share of his audience to experience the charm of this monumental collaboration. If you visit Tokyo in the coming weeks, the pop-up shop and café are open until January 26, 2025.

To celebrate the relaunch of the Murakami x Louis Vuitton line, the artist has brought his colorful designs to a pop-up store, a coffee shop, and a railway station.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Takashi Murakami (@takashipom)

Murakami covered the stairs of the famous JR Harajuku station with his cheerful motifs.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Takashi Murakami (@takashipom)

A pop-up store showcased pieces from the collection, while a nearby café served lattes and pastries featuring Murakami’s world-famous Superflat flowers.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Time Out Tokyo (@timeouttokyo_)

The coffee shop also boasts digital installations and a giant panda sculpture that welcomes visitors with a wide smile.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Cafe Zingaro (@cafe_zingaro)

If you visit Tokyo in the coming weeks, the pop-up shop and café are open until January 26, 2025.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Cafe Zingaro (@cafe_zingaro)

Louis Vuitton: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Takashi Murakami: Facebook | Instagram

Source: Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton take over Harajuku with a pop-up shop and café

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READ: Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton Take Over Tokyo’s Trendy Harajuku District

 

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The 2025 stamp lineup from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) includes fun new additions, updates to ongoing series, and some beloved fan favorites.

Some new stamps for the new year spotlight legendary pop culture icons, including Keith Haring, an American artist best known for his graffiti-style artwork that contributed to the Pop Art movement. Titled Love, the stamp features two of Haring's iconic dancing figures supporting a heart, taken from his 1985 drawing Untitled. This design was chosen for its versatile message of affection, perfect for pasting on envelopes when sending letters to loved ones, whether family or a significant other.

Another beloved figure receiving a stamp this year is Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and her remarkable seven-decade-long career in the entertainment industry. The Betty White stamp features a digital illustration of the beloved actor in a soft purple tone, created by Dale Stephanos using a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston as a reference.

In line with White's advocacy for wildlife, the USPS released the Baby Wild Animals Series, illustrated and designed by Tracy Walker. The collection features 10 adorable, simple illustrations of baby animals, including deer, foxes, owls, and bears. Each design in the series shares the same color palette of blue, white, orange, and black while uniquely depicting the animals' habitats.

For the 48th stamp in the Black Heritage collection, the USPS has chosen to honor a male figure, following the alternating gender pattern. This year, the stamp features Allen Toussaint, an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. An acclaimed New Orleans rhythm and blues figure in the late 20th century, Toussaint's legacy endures through some notable recordings: “Southern Nights,” “Ruler of My Heart,” and “Last Train.”

The USPS introduced the sixth stamp in its Lunar New Year series, honoring the Year of the Snake. The stamp features a mask designed by Camille Chew, inspired by the traditional masks used in lion dances. The mask was meticulously crafted from hand-printed paper, which was cut, folded, and decorated.

Furthermore, the USPS pays homage to Indigenous communities with stamps celebrating powwows, traditional Native American gatherings that feature music, dance, and ceremonial wear. For this series, Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero created paintings of four powwow dancers in traditional dress with brightly colored backgrounds.

Overall, the USPS 2025 lineup emphasizes nature's beauty through collections like American Vistas, The Appalachian Trail, and Winter Landscapes, which depict the diverse scenery across the nation. Other stamp series, such as Dahlias and Vibrant Leaves, focus on the intricate details of individual natural elements, like flower petals.

In addition to providing a sneak peek at their upcoming releases, the USPS has announced release dates and locations for the first quarter of 2025. Notable dates include the following:

• Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake: January 14 in Boston, MA
• Love 2025 Local ceremony: January 17 in Kutztown, PA
• Allen Toussaint (Black Heritage): January 30 in New Orleans, LA
• Betty White: March 27 in Los Angeles, California

To purchase or pre-order your own stamps, check the USPS website.

The USPS has announced its 2025 stamp lineup, featuring a mix of new additions and ongoing series.

 

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Notable releases include the new Love stamp, showcasing two of Keith Haring's iconic dancing figures supporting a heart, inspired by his 1985 drawing Untitled.

 

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A post shared by US Postal Service (@uspostalservice)

Another highlight is the Betty White stamp, honoring the beloved actress from The Golden Girls.

 

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A post shared by Dale Stephanos (@dalestephanos)

The USPS also introduced the sixth stamp in its Lunar New Year series to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

 

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A post shared by US Postal Service (@uspostalservice)

USPS: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Sources: U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2025 Stamps; U.S. Postal Service Announces More Stamp Subjects for 2025

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Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Honda is stepping into the future with its sleek, technology-packed 0 series. These electric vehicles signal a new era and rebranding for the car manufacturer, with many new design and technology features. The Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV, which debuted at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, are expected to go to market in North America in 2026.

My Modern Met Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief Eugene Kim was invited to Honda's Torrance, California, headquarters for a close-up look at both vehicles after initially viewing them at CES. Each car features sleek curves with an aerodynamic exterior. Inside, Honda has maximized space, a conscious choice built around the company's “thin, light, and wise” approach.

While one expects a large interior in an SUV, Honda's design choice really comes to life in the flagship Honda 0 Saloon. The car's sporty design and low cabin would make you think that a cramped interior awaits, but that is not the case. Honda has managed to create an interior that is surprisingly roomy for a car of this nature.

Both vehicles mark the debut of Honda's original vehicle operating system (OS), the ASIMO OS. Named after a humanoid robot Honda developed 20 years ago, the operating system will apply integrated management of electronic control units (ECUs) for vehicle systems such as automated driving/advanced driver assistance systems (AD/ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system.

Thanks to over-the-air (OTA) updates, the car's functions and services will continually update to meet the driver's preferences. This makes the truly custom car ownership experience. In addition, Honda 0 vehicles will feature Level 3 automated driving, which allows divers to complete a second task while the vehicle oversees operation of the vehicle.

For added safety, Honda has developed technology to anticipate driving conditions and scenarios in order to eliminate collisions that “a human driver could have avoided.” They are also incorporating AI learning into the car in order to learn and improve upon the automated driving system.

And, of course, an electric vehicle must take its energy needs into consideration. Honda is already part of an automaker consortium that is expanding the number of charging stations across the United States, but Honda 0 will incorporate smart at-home charging technology to cut down on energy costs. Interestingly, the EV can also send electricity back to the power grid when it's in short supply, allowing owners to earn from their vehicles.

“The Honda approach to the art of making things has always been human-centric. The same is true with the 0 Series,” Katsushi Inoue, Honda senior managing executive officer, Electrification Business Development Operations shares at CES 2025. “Our EVs will offer ‘ultra-personal optimization' by thinking completely about the customer, and optimizing all details including precise control settings for vehicle dynamics.

“Like a smartphone, various functions of 0 Series models will continue to advance even after the purchase. The more it is used, the more personalized it will become.”

While a price point has yet to be revealed, Honda expects that both the Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV will come to market in North America in 2026, with a global rollout shortly after.

Honda is stepping into the future with its sleek, technology-packed 0 series.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

“Like a smartphone, various functions of 0 Series models will continue to advance even after the purchase. The more it is used, the more personalized it will become.”

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

These electric vehicles signal a new era and rebranding for the car manufacturer, with many new design and technology features.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Both vehicles feature sleek, futuristic designs and mark the debut of Honda's original vehicle operating system (OS), the ASIMO OS.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

The Honda 0 series is also equipped with Level 3 automated driving, which allows drivers to complete a second task while on the road.

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

The Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV, which debuted at CES 20205 in Las Vegas, are expected to go to market in North America in 2026.

 

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Honda: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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READ: CES 2025: Honda Unveils the 0 Series, Sleek EVs With Level 3 Automated Driving

If you've ever seen the Transformers films, you'll know that the protagonists (and villains) are alien robots designed to mimic mundane objects from afar, whether it be a car or a plane. Though they're all fictional characters, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas recently unveiled a new massage chair by Bodyfriend that seems inspired by the science-fiction franchise, bearing a striking resemblance to the beloved Autobots.

The 733 Massage Chair debuted last week at CES 2025, where it won a CES 2025 Honoree Award in Digital Health and immediately garnered attention with its innovative design. Most prominently, the chair features independently controlled arm and leg movement technology, making it the first of its kind worldwide. These functions allow for a wide range of exercises, whether it be single-leg stretching or arm rotations.

Beyond its impressive flexibility, the chair incorporates AI healthcare service functions, which monitor biometric data for disease prediction and health assessment via a dedicated app. A wireless Holter monitor ECG provides additional health insights, measuring cardiac conditions and stress levels.

It’s clear that each element of the 733 Massage Chair is crafted to maximize wellness, comfort, and rehabilitation. These extraordinary qualities contribute to the chair’s price tag of $20,000, while its biomimicry-inspired design stood out as Transformers-esque to CES attendees. Even its two colorways recall the Transformers: yellow for Bumblebee and red-blue for Optimus Prime.

The 733 Massage Chair is currently available for pre-order via the Bodyfriend website.

Designed by Bodyfriend, the 733 Massage Chair debuted at CES 2025, where it won a CES 2025 Honoree Award in Digital Health.

The chair features independently controlled arm and leg movement technology, as well as AI healthcare service functions.

With its biomimicry-inspired design, the 733 Massage Chair even resembles a Transformer Autobot in disguise.

Check out the 733 Massage Chair in action at CES 2025:

 

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Bodyfriend: Website | Instagram

All images via Bodyfriend.

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READ: CES 2025: Innovative Massage Chair That Looks Like a Transformer Autobot Promotes Wellness and Flexibility

 

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In 2017, Sony released the critically acclaimed video game Horizon Zero Dawn for PlayStation 4. Through the eyes of the young hunter Aloy, players explore the overgrown ruins of a long-lost civilization and encounter the colossal machines that now roam the world. Given its technological conceit, it’s only fitting that someone attended CES 2025 cosplaying as one of these animatronic creatures.

Rick Galinson, a mechanical FX and animatronics designer based in Los Angeles, engineered an astounding costume of the Watcher to promote Horizon Zero Dawn at the event. With its elongated neck and reptilian legs, the machine resembles a small theropod dinosaur and boasts a massive eye. Galinson’s costume brilliantly brings this futuristic creature to life.

Measuring 13 feet and weighing 73 pounds, the costume is operated by a human performer from the inside. To further enhance its realism, the costume is fully articulated, and features sounds as well as lights. The Watcher was also accompanied by an Aloy cosplayer, who donned an intricate bow-and-arrow and an equally detailed costume.

Horizon Zero Dawn encompasses countless mechanical creatures, but the Watcher is one of the most significant. In fact, it’s the first machine the player meets in Horizon, and it serves a critical role in Aloy’s development as a machine hunter. In the popular video game, a 6-year-old Aloy is introduced to Watchers by her guardian, Rost, in an effort to learn how to avoid and ambush machines. As she grows up, Watchers are one of Aloy’s main targets for practicing machine combat.

Cosplaying is an integral part of many video-game and pop-culture communities, but those involving animatronics and advanced mechanics are far less common. It’s precisely this fact that makes Galinson’s Watcher such an impressive tribute to the beloved Horizon Zero Dawn.

Horizon Zero Dawn, a beloved video game released in 2017 for PlayStation 4, features colossal machines that roam and rule the world in the far future.

At CES 2025, a mechanical FX and animatronics designer brought the Watcher, one of the creatures from the game, to life through inventive cosplay.

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READ: CES 2025: Futuristic Machine From Video Game ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ Is Brought to Life

CES 2025 was packed with amazing new tech, but a few products really stole the show this year. Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering won everyone over with their adorable creations, like a fluffy robot companion that acts just like a real human baby. Another standout was a super cute, cat-shaped mini robot that’s as practical as it is charming—it cools down hot meals and drinks by blowing air on them.

Nékojita FuFu, the mini robot, is designed to clip onto your mug, plate, or bowl. It features a built-in fan powered by a unique algorithm called the “Fu-ing System,” which mimics how humans blow on hot food and drinks. By adjusting the fan’s direction and intensity through its tiny mouth, Nékojita FuFu can cool your meal or beverage to a comfortable temperature in under five minutes. The helpful cat robot even features various blowing modes, such as the full-force “I’ve Got This!” and gentler, steadier blows like the “Not Gonna Spill” mode.

The robot’s name is a clever blend of two concepts. “Neko-jita,” which translates to “cat tongue,” is a Japanese term used to describe people sensitive to hot food—a condition that, according to a 2018 online poll, affects nearly 47% of respondents in Japan. Meanwhile, “FuFu” is an onomatopoeia representing the sound we make when blowing on food to cool it down.

Nékojita FuFu came to life during Yukai Engineering’s 2024 Make-a-Thon. Chief Marketing Officer Tsubasa Tominaga shared that the idea was inspired by his own struggles a few years back, when he often found himself out of breath and dizzy from trying to cool down hot baby food for his son.

“We created Nékojita FuFu as a little personal meal partner, so you can solve your ‘néko-jita’ problem anywhere, anytime,” says Tominaga. “The robot doesn’t just help you enjoy hot coffee. It can make it easier for seniors to down hot soup and reduce parents’ chores by helping kids eat with less help.”

Yukai Engineering plans to launch Nékojita FuFu in Japan by mid-2025, with a price tag of ¥3,800 (around $25). Find out more about this cute product on the Yukai Engineering website.

This cat-shaped mini robot by Yukai Engineering blows on your hot food and drinks to cool them down in under five minutes.

The helpful cat robot features various blowing modes, such as the full-force “I’ve Got This!” and gentler, steadier blows like the “Not Gonna Spill” mode.

It features a built-in fan powered by a unique algorithm called the “Fu-ing System,” which mimics how humans blow on hot food and drinks.

Yukai Engineering: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images via Yukai Engineering.

Source: Yukai Engineering to Debut ‘Nékojita FuFu,’Attachable Mini-Robot That Cools Hot Drinks/Food, at CES Unveiled

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READ: CES 2025: This Helpful Little Cat Robot Blows on Hot Food and Drinks To Cool Them Down

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The Black Forest region in southwestern Germany is largely considered the birthplace of the cuckoo clock. Traditional designs typically involve organic decorative elements; but, in Turkey, these iconic chirping clocks are undergoing a radical transformation.

Led by artist Serdar Kar and his wife Suzi, Woodmess has modernized the cuckoo clock through bold colorways, inventive shapes, and surprising textures. Each clock is meticulously handcrafted, with designs ranging from the minimalist and elegant to the playful and complex.

Crafting a cuckoo clock demands exacting precision and a keen understanding of the clock’s interior mechanics. Having grown up in a family of craftsmen, Kar didn’t hesitate in pursuing the decorative arts, and was especially eager about constructing cuckoo clocks.

“I always had a passion for cuckoo clocks since my childhood and remaking them with modern designs was always in my mind,” Kar tells My Modern Met. “After I moved to a bigger studio in 2020, I started producing the clocks and they immediately got the attention of my customers.”

By 2022, Kar’s wife Suzi joined Woodmess, cementing the family-owned studio as one of the world’s leading cuckoo clock fabricators. “We love the idea of making something that suits modern homes and allows people to enjoy the nostalgic cuckoo feeling,” the duo says.

Woodmess clocks cleverly embody both historical and contemporary influences. One clock, for example, retains a wooden face, its dark grain reminiscent of traditional designs. The clock’s brass detailing and sleek, minimalist angles, however, provide a fresh reinterpretation of an object that would otherwise be replete with ornamentation.

Other timepieces are more direct departures, with several designs incorporating multiple colors and unexpected curves. One such clock resembles an infinity sign turned on its side, featuring a rainbow motif that pulses through each of the object’s wooden layers. Another clock also delights with its rainbow color scheme, but combines geometry with an asymmetrical edge to exacerbate its dramatic silhouette.

“All clocks are handcrafted one by one, with attention to every detail, upon order,” the Kars explain. “As the clocks are made to order, it is possible for everyone to create their own clock by choosing the colors.”

For the husband-and-wife duo, Woodmess was born from a dream that proved too irresistible to not act upon. “Every job done with patience, dedication, and passion will be successful,” the Kars say.

To discover more of their innovative products, visit the Woodmess store on Etsy.

Led by Serdar Kar and his wife Suzi, the design studio Woodmess has modernized the traditional cuckoo clock.

Woodmess cuckoo clocks boast bold colors, inventive shapes, and surprising textures.

These clocks are ingenious reinterpretations of decorative objects that are traditionally adorned with organic ornamentation.

Woodmess: Website | Instagram | Etsy

My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by Woodmess.

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Bird baths not only provide a safe haven for our feathered friends to cool off and hydrate, but they also offer birdwatchers a unique chance to observe and appreciate their beauty up close. The Birdfy Bath Pro takes this to a whole new level with its smart features, making learning about bird behavior easier than ever.

With its built-in solar panel for hassle-free power, the Birdfy Bath Pro features a central water fountain that’s perfect for attracting local birds to stop by for a refreshing dip. While they enjoy the bath, the device’s waterproof dual-lens camera captures stunning photos and videos, which are conveniently sent straight to your phone. The lower wide-angle lens captures 16:9 ratio images in crisp 1080p resolution, while the portrait lens takes it up a level with 2K resolution, tracking the birds’ movements and zooming in for detailed close-ups.

The smart bird bath also comes with a motion detector that sends a notification to your phone whenever a bird stops by. But what really sets it apart is its impressive AI recognition feature, which can identify over 6,000 bird species.

The standard Birdfy app is free to use, with an optional monthly subscription for the AI Bird Recognition feature. For more details on the Birdfy Bath Pro and to buy your own, check out the Birdfy website. It’s currently available for $328.

The Birdfy Bath Pro takes birdwatching to a whole new level with its smart features, making admiring our feathered friends easier than ever.

While the birds enjoy the bath, the device's dual-lens camera captures stunning photos and videos, which are conveniently sent straight to your phone.

What sets it apart is its impressive AI recognition feature, which can identify over 6,000 bird species.

This smart bird bath even comes with a motion detector that sends a notification to your phone whenever a bird stops by.

Birdfy: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

All images via Birdfy.

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While some technologies are created to simplify our lives, others exist solely to bring us joy. Meet Mirumi—an adorable furry robot designed by Japanese company Yukai Engineering that playfully interacts with passersby.

Yukai Engineering’s team of engineers and designers came up with the idea for Mirumi during a “Make-a-Thon” in 2024. Their goal was to create a robotic yokai—a supernatural being—infused with the endearing qualities of a human baby.

With its large, cooing eyes and soft fur, Mirumi is sure to capture attention. It can attach to your arm, bag, or anything else, bringing a smile to anyone around you. However, its next move might surprise you. This sloth-like creature curiously observes its surroundings, responding to people or objects it detects with its built-in sensors.

Equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU), Mirumi can sense movements—whether it’s a tap on its body or the motion of a bag it’s attached to—adding an element of playful interactivity. It even bashfully hides its face and shakes its head to say, “no,” when jiggled.

“People often find great joy in sharing their own happiness with others. Mirumi is a robot that enables you to do just that,” Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki says. “Whether you’re riding a crowded train or standing in line at the cashier, your Mirumi will always find a way to reach into people’s hearts with its innocent gaze, prompting the person to wave at the robot or make a funny face in response.”

Yukai Engineering unveiled Mirumi at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, a trade show highlighting cutting-edge technologies of today, where visitors were left in awe of the adorable gadget pal. The team plans to launch Mirumi through a crowdfunding campaign later this year, aiming for a price point of $100.

Check out the adorable robot below and keep an eye on Yukai Engineering’s website for updates.

Meet Mirumi—an adorable furry robot designed by Japanese company Yukai Engineering.

The sloth-like creature attaches to your bag and curiously observes its surroundings.

It playfully responds to people or objects it detects with its built-in sensors.

 

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Yukai Engineering: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images via Yukai Engineering.

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READ: CES 2025: Adorable Fluffy Robot Attaches to Your Bag and Playfully Engages With Its Surroundings