Despite attempts from many manufacturers, smart home tech still looks like computing equipment. This is particularly true of smart home hubs like the Amazon Echo or Google Home. Far from integrating naturally into your home decor, they make their presence well-known.
As part of the virtual CES 2021 event, Mui Lab took the time to showcase its more mindful wooden smart home hub, Mui.
What Is Mui?
At first glance, Mui looks very much like an aesthetically-pleasing block of wood. However, hidden inside are several electronic components that allow you to interact with smart home devices. The most notable features are the built-in speaker and microphone, placed on the unit's rear, which will enable you to interact with the Google Assistant.
The minimal design is purposeful. The company intends to produce calm interfaces for technology, like Mui. This is just one of the ways you can prevent technology addiction from hijacking your core values.
Although you can access Google Assistant, there are a few other exciting features on offer. For instance, there are many white LEDs hidden just below the front panel's surface.
Mui Features
Once connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, you can use the Mui iOS app to set options for this display panel. At present, you can show the weather forecast, set a timer, show calendar events, and display text messages. There is an Android app under development, but in the meantime, Android users can interact with Mui using the companion web app.
The display is touch-enabled, too, allowing you to quickly adjust music playback on your Sonos speakers and control your Philips Hue lighting. For those interested in automation, Mui Lab has also developed several IFTTT applets.
The display turns off after a while and can also be placed into a Night Mode, which enables the Do Not Disturb feautre. You can also use the smartphone app to generate short notes for display on your Mui.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the company has been experimenting with showing short mindful poems, written by Mizuki Misumi, throughout the day, in line with its calmer living principles.
Where Can You Buy Mui?
Mui was initially launched as a crowd-funded project, with shipments due to roll out in early 2020. Due to the pandemic, the company had to delay some shipments but has progressed towards fulfilling all orders.
If you're interested in purchasing a Mui board and live in Japan or the US, you can still order one on Kickstarter.
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