First shown publicly at CES in 2019, the Mui Board has taken years to move from concept to reality. In 2026, the minimalist smart home controller has finally begun shipping in limited quantities, marking a rare example of a design-led idea making it into production largely unchanged.
Developed by Japan-based Mui Labs, the Mui Board looks nothing like a typical smart display. Mounted on a wall, it appears to be nothing more than a smooth piece of finished timber. There is no screen, no glowing interface, and no visible controls. Only when touched does the surface come alive, revealing subtle dot-matrix icons that fade away once interaction ends.
At its core, the Mui Board is a Raspberry Pi-powered smart home controller with Matter support. It works with platforms and products such as Sonos, Philips Hue, LIFX, SwitchBot, Ecobee, and several Japanese smart home services. Rather than demanding attention, the device is designed to stay visually quiet, aligning with the philosophy that technology should exist in harmony with the home. The word “mui” itself refers to a state of calm and connection with nature, a concept reflected in the product’s certification from the Calm Tech Institute.
The current second-generation model was first revealed in 2023 and only became available to buy earlier this year through Mui’s own store and Indiegogo. With a recommended price of around AUD 1,500, or approximately AUD 1,200 during promotional periods, it sits firmly in niche territory. While unlikely to appeal to a mass audience, it targets users who value craftsmanship, simplicity, and a distraction-free approach to smart living.
The Mui Board is available in two finishes, natural maple and dark cherry, and offers more functionality than its understated design suggests. Users can control lighting brightness, toggle smart plugs, adjust thermostat settings, and operate connected curtains or locks. There is no colour-changing lighting control, but the essentials are covered. Crucially, there are no advertisements, no voice assistant interruptions, and no bright display competing for attention.
Once connected to Wi-Fi, the board can show the time and weather, as well as handle alarms, timers, and reminders. Messages can be written by hand directly onto the wooden surface and sent to other Mui Boards or the companion app. Two small built-in speakers and a microphone allow for simple audio feedback and voice message recording, while power is supplied via an included AC adapter.
Interaction is where the Mui Board truly stands out. Drawing directly on the surface feels natural and responsive, turning everyday tasks into something playful. A small animated cat wanders across the board and reacts to touch, and a music mode transforms the interface into a simple instrument. Writing notes by hand rather than typing reinforces the feeling of engaging with a physical object rather than a digital screen.
As a Matter controller, the Mui Board can set up and manage compatible devices locally without relying on ecosystems from Amazon, Google, or Apple. It currently supports Matter over Wi-Fi, with Thread support planned for the future via an external border router. Lighting control is the most mature feature at present, while support for other device categories remains in active testing.
Mui Labs is returning to CES again this year, where it plans to preview new features focused on wellbeing. These include a sleep-oriented experience and movement-based lighting control, both designed to further blur the line between technology and the natural rhythms of everyday life.
