About
mui Lab is a Calm Technology™ startup founded in Kyoto, Japan, with a mission to create harmony among technology, people, and nature. At the heart of their product line is the mui Board — a warm, wooden smart home interface that blends seamlessly into living spaces while enabling voice and touch-based control of connected devices. The board integrates directly with Amazon Alexa, synchronizing voice communication with a calm, unobtrusive interface designed to reduce digital stress. Beyond the consumer product, mui Lab offers enterprise-grade smart living solutions including their 'Living OS' open smart home platform developed in partnership with DSR Corporation for the Japanese market. Their Demand Response System allows electric power companies to engage customers in energy-saving programs via digital gifting and rewards. They've also collaborated with Wacom on innovative family memory experiences and are expanding into 'Spatial AI' wellness services. mui Lab has won the 2025 Good Design Award and partners with Mitsubishi Estate for smart home integration in new housing developments. Their philosophy — rooted in Calm Technology principles advocated by Amber Case — positions technology as a background presence that informs without demanding attention. Ideal for homeowners, property developers, utilities, and hospitality brands seeking to create serene, human-centered smart environments.
Key Features
- mui Board: A wooden smart home panel that integrates with Amazon Alexa, providing a calm and natural interface for digital living without visual intrusion.
- Living OS Platform: An open smart home platform developed with DSR Corporation, enabling homebuilders and property developers to deploy integrated smart living experiences in Japan.
- Demand Response System: An enterprise solution for electric power companies that rewards consumers with digital gifts for meeting energy-saving goals, powered by the mui platform.
- Spatial AI Wellbeing Services: Newly unveiled AI-driven spatial services focused on sleep and wellbeing, premiered at CES 2026 to expand calm living into health-focused experiences.
- Family Memory Interface: A collaborative interface with Wacom that 'capsules' family moments using height markings in wood, enabling novel forms of personal memory and communication.
Use Cases
- Smart home automation for homeowners seeking a calm, nature-integrated interface rather than conventional touchscreen panels.
- Property developers integrating Living OS into new housing developments to offer residents a premium smart home experience out of the box.
- Electric utility companies deploying the mui Demand Response System to incentivize customers with digital gifts for energy-saving participation.
- Hospitality and wellness brands creating serene, technology-enhanced environments using mui's Spatial AI and calm interface principles.
- Interior designers and architects sourcing smart home technology that complements natural, minimalist living spaces without visual clutter.
Pros
- Distinctive Calm Technology Design: The wooden, nature-inspired aesthetic of the mui Board stands apart from conventional smart home panels, blending technology into living spaces without disruption.
- Strong Enterprise & Partner Ecosystem: Integrations with Alexa, Mitsubishi Estate, Wacom, and DSR Corporation give mui Lab a robust ecosystem for both consumer and B2B smart home deployments.
- Award-Winning Product: Winner of the 2025 Good Design Award, validating the quality and innovation of the mui Board in the competitive smart home market.
Cons
- Japan-Focused Market Availability: Most enterprise partnerships and distribution channels are currently centered in Japan, limiting accessibility for international buyers.
- Premium Pricing for Hardware: As a design-led physical product with premium materials and craftsmanship, the mui Board likely carries a higher price point than typical smart home devices.
- Limited DIY / Developer Ecosystem: The platform appears targeted at enterprise integrations and curated experiences rather than open developer customization, which may limit hobbyist adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mui Board?
The mui Board is a wooden smart home interface panel designed on Calm Technology™ principles. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and provides a natural, low-distraction way to interact with connected home devices.
What is Calm Technology™?
Calm Technology is a design philosophy that focuses on creating technology that informs without overwhelming. Devices and interfaces should operate in the periphery of human attention and only demand focus when truly necessary.
What is the Living OS platform?
Living OS is an open smart home platform developed by mui Lab in partnership with DSR Corporation, designed to provide homebuilders and real estate developers in Japan with integrated smart home capabilities.
Does mui Lab offer enterprise solutions?
Yes. mui Lab offers a Demand Response System for electric power companies and smart living solutions for property developers, including integration with Mitsubishi Estate's HOMETACT platform.
Where is mui Lab based?
mui Lab is headquartered in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. They exhibit globally at events like CES and CEDIA Expo, and have partners across the Japanese real estate and utility sectors.
