
DIA HONORABLE MENTION: Nékojita FuFu 0
Owner Unit: Yukai Engineering Inc.
Design Unit: Yukai Engineering Inc.
Team Member: Shunsuke Aoki,Tsubasa Tominaga,Ippei Miki,Miyako Kashimura,Kazuhiro Hada
Nékojita FuFu is a cat-shaped device that gently blows on hot food or drinks, cooling them to a safe and enjoyable temperature. The name comes from the Japanese word "nekojita", meaning "cat tongue," which describes people who are sensitive to heat. This playful yet practical companion was inspired by everyday parenting struggles—such as not wanting to blow directly on a child's food, or feeling dizzy from repeatedly cooling meals. By combining humor, safety, and comfort, Nékojita FuFu offers a charming solution for both children and adults. Its comical figure and gentle blowing create a warm presence, turning a minor inconvenience into a joyful experience at the table. Although "nekojita" is a Japanese term, people all over the world experience the same frustration with food that is too hot to eat. Traditionally, this has been seen as too small a problem to solve with design. Yet, these small struggles—burning your tongue, rushing to cool a child's meal—are deeply relatable. Nékojita FuFu demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform an overlooked irritation into a joyful ritual. It embodies the idea that technology can be not only functional but also playful, comforting, and emotionally engaging.