Mascot robot is designed to recreate the joy of encountering and interacting with a human baby.
LAS VEGAS (Dec. 30, 2024) — At CES® Unveiled (Jan. 5) and CES 2022 (Jan. 7-10), Tokyo-based robotics startup Yukai Engineering will unveil “Nékojita FuFu,” a portable robot that blows on hot drinks/food to cool them down. Designed to help people who have a highly heat-sensitive tongue, the robot generates cool “breath” with an internal fan, and uses the special algorithm, “Fu-ing System,” to randomize its blowing strength and rhythm in the way humans might, while effectively lowering foods’ temperature. The company plans to release Nékojita FuFu in Japan in mid-2025 following a crowdfunding campaign for ¥3,800 Japanese yen (about $25).
Unlike conventional heat-reducing mug cups, Nékojita FuFu is a stand-alone device that can be attached to any foodware of the user’s liking (if it has a straight edge). The robot’s name combines the Japanese words, “neko-jita,” or “cat tongue” — the phrase used to describe an intolerance of hot food, a condition that as many as 47% of survey takers in Japan reported having,according to a 2018 online poll* — and “fu fu,” an onomatopoeia imitating the sound of steady breath blowing.
Nékojita FuFu was born out of Yukai Engineering’s 2024 internal Make-a-Thon, during which a team leader reminisced about how badly he wanted help years ago with blowing on freshly cooked baby food for his son because doing so often left him feeling breathless and dizzy.
(*In the online poll conducted by Weathernews, a leading weather info provider in Japan, 47% of 10K+ respondents identified as “having a neko-jita.”)
“We created Nékojita FuFu as a little personal meal partner, so you can solve your ‘néko-jita’ problem anywhere, anytime,” said Tsubasa Tominaga, the chief marketing officer of Yukai Engineering, a.k.a. the dad who needed help cooling baby food. “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. We are thrilled to show Nékojita FuFu in action at CES 2025, as it switches between various blowing modes, such as the full-force ‘I’ve Got This!’ and gentler ‘Not Gonna Spill’ modes. The hard-working robot will surely make you want to cheer it on.”
“Nékojita FuFu” at CES
CES Unveiled — Jan. 5, 5:00-8:30 p.m. @Mandalay Bay Convention Center
CES 2025 — Jan. 7-10 @Venetian Expo, Hall A-D, Booth #52671
Press Kit: https://tinyurl.com/uzujf4ny2
Website : https://nekojitafufu.ux-xu.com
Nékojita FuFu Overview:
Brings down hot water’s temperature from 190°F (88°C) to 160°F (71°C) and 151°F (66°C) in 3 and 5 mins, respectively, compared to 176°F (80°C) and 171°F (77°C) without the robot. Silicon body with an internal fan unit that operates on a rechargeable battery (type-C USB). Attachable to any straight-edge foodware 0.08”-0.23” (2mm-6mm) in thickness.
Fu-ing System’s Blowing Modes:
The “Fu-ing” algorithm system randomizes various blowing modes. The following are some of the under-consideration modes, which are subject to change and may not be part of the final product.
About Yukai Engineering:
Yukai Engineering is a Tokyo-based startup known for creating robots that bring joy to life. Flagship products include BOCCO emo (a family communication robot), Qoobo (a therapeutic pillow for companionship), AMAGAMI HAM HAM (a robot that mimics young pets’ gentle nibbling on your finger just). Yukai has received numerous awards, including CES 2023 Innovation Awards for BOCCO emo Platform — via which some of Japan’s utility companies provide smart-living services — and fufuly — a robotic cushion for guided breathing, also a 2024 Good Design Award winner.