Lie Down in the Capsule for Washing and Drying All at Once
Much Interest in Future Commercialization
The 'body-washing machine' that first appeared in Japan over 50 years ago has developed to a commercially viable level and was unveiled again this year. On the 24th (local time), Japanese media such as The Japan Times reported that the 'Future Human Washing Machine' showcased by Science Holdings, a manufacturer of shower parts, at this year's 'Osaka Expo' attracted much attention.
On that day, Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, who was the first to experience the product, appeared at the "Osaka Expo Preview Exhibition" wearing shorts and slippers. He took off his outerwear and entered a capsule-shaped booth about the height of an adult man. Photo by Kyodo News
On that day, Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, who was the first to experience the product, appeared at the 'Osaka Expo preview exhibition' wearing shorts and slippers. He took off his outerwear and entered a capsule-shaped booth about the height of an adult male. As he sat in a chair reclined backward like a car driver's seat, the lid closed. Soon, the windows on both sides of the booth fogged up with mist. This was because hot bathwater was coming out inside. Soap foam for washing hair was also dispensed, and after washing, the booth had a drying function that blew air to dry the body.
When the lid opened, Governor Yoshimura looked at the machine with a moist face, seemingly amazed. After the experience, he wiped his slightly wet face and hair with a towel. He expressed satisfaction, saying, “I was worried it might be uncomfortable to breathe, but there was no problem at all,” and “The shower was gentle and very pleasant.” He added, “This could be the future form of bathing,” and predicted, “It could be utilized in elderly care and other fields.”
In Japan, the machine is called the 'Human Washing Machine.' When a person sits in the seat to bathe, the capsule fills with water, automatically checks the appropriate water temperature, and starts operation. It takes about 15 minutes to wash and dry completely. Yasuki Aoyama, CEO of Science Holdings, said he first saw a shower machine at the Osaka Expo in 1970 when he was 10 years old. At that time, Japan’s SANYO exhibited a prototype that looked like a spaceship capsule; users climbed a ladder to enter, water came out, and ultrasonic air bubbles washed the body. Aoyama said the impression he received then was the reason he started developing an evolved shower machine.
Yoshimura Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, takes part in the human washing machine experience. Photo by Kyodo News
In the future, they plan to add AI functions to recognize age, skin, fatigue, etc., and optimize the experience for each person. In Japan, where the elderly population is large, the human washing machine idea is already being used in nursing care settings. The main users are elderly people or severely disabled individuals who have difficulty even entering the bathroom. Water and soap come out from a vacuum cleaner head-shaped shower hose, and as it touches the body, it is simultaneously suctioned so the bed does not get wet. Meanwhile, as CEO Yasuki mentioned, smartphones, conveyor belt sushi, and canned coffee, which were unveiled at the 1970 Expo, have all become realities. However, since the human washing machine has not yet been commercialized, local media report that there is much interest in whether this product will be commercialized.
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