Bringing Everyday Robots to Life with Ingenious Ideas
Automated Robots for Washing Hair and Bathing
Seamless Drone Delivery of Goods
With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), robots that replace human tasks are increasingly infiltrating everyday life. While these robots may not closely resemble humans, innovative designs and concepts have led to the emergence of products that effortlessly handle tedious chores such as washing hair and showering, attracting significant attention.
Washing Your Hair for Just 3,700 Won per Session... Up to 100 Customers Flock to Chinese Shampoo Robot
In various parts of China, a leading nation in robotics, unique stores featuring robots that wash customers' hair are appearing. According to local media such as the Guangzhou Daily, a specialized AI shampoo store recently opened in Guangzhou. The store is equipped with a robot that automates shampooing, scalp massage, and cleaning all at once.
Robot installed at a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) shampoo specialty store. Screenshot from SCMP website
The capsule-shaped robot is designed to fit the human head perfectly and uses internal infrared sensors to detect the shape of the user's head. Customers can choose from three water pressure modes-mild, medium, or strong-and select either "long hair mode" or "short hair mode" depending on their hair length. Once activated, the machine performs two rounds of shampooing and one round of treatment over a 13-minute session.
The service is very affordable, priced at 19 yuan (about 3,900 won). As machines replace human labor, labor costs have decreased, allowing the store to secure price competitiveness. According to reports, one AI shampoo store in Guangzhou operates with just three staff members and five machines, serving over 100 customers a day during peak season.
'Human Washing Machine' Analyzes Physical Condition Using AI
While China has introduced robots that wash hair, Japan has a company that has brought the "human washing machine" to life. According to the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun on December 22 (local time), Japanese home appliance manufacturer Science unveiled an automatic bathing robot last month that bathes customers automatically.
Customers simply need to lie on the backrest inside the streamlined capsule-shaped robot. A screen then displays the words "Filling Water," and hot water is sprayed from a nozzle at the feet. The hot water rises to just below the chest of the reclining customer.
Inside view of a human washing machine. After a screen (above) showing the physical condition appears, hot water sprays out. Capture from Nikkei YouTube video
In the next cleaning stage, microbubbles are generated to remove impurities attached to the skin. This method is likened to "soaking laundry," as it resembles how hot water removes stains from clothes. Once the shower is finished, the water drains, and a strong airflow dries the entire body. The entire process is completed in just 15 minutes.
The sensor installed in the backrest collects and analyzes data such as the user's electrocardiogram and autonomic nervous system throughout the bathing process. Based on this data, the AI plays relaxing videos or music. The product is priced at 60 million yen (about 558 million won), and each unit is custom-made. Several high-end hotels in Japan, including the Dotonbori Crystal Hotel in Osaka and the Ikebukuro Salon, have decided to adopt and utilize this robot.
Drone Delivery Company Deploys Droid via Zipline
There are also startups that have realized robotic delivery by incorporating simple yet ingenious ideas. Zipline, a drone delivery company founded in the United States in 2014, currently provides drone parcel delivery services not only in African countries such as Rwanda and Nigeria but also in developed countries like the United States.
Zipline can deliver packages without landing by deploying a small droid robot mounted on the drone. The drone in flight (left) and the droid. Zipline
Major e-commerce companies such as Amazon have previously attempted to deliver packages directly to homes using drones, but various practical issues, including regulations, have hindered large-scale expansion. Residents have also complained about noise and dust generated each time drones take off and land.
Zipline addressed these challenges by leveraging its namesake "zipline." Instead of landing at the delivery site, Zipline drones lower a small robot called a "droid" from an altitude of 100 meters. The droid, developed by Zipline for package transport, is connected to the drone by a strong line (zipline), and its altitude can be adjusted by unwinding or retracting the line.
Zipline's corporate value is currently estimated at 4.2 billion dollars (about 6 trillion won). Last month, the company signed a contract worth 150 million dollars (about 217 billion won) with the U.S. State Department to deliver essential medical supplies such as vaccines and antibiotics to remote areas worldwide.
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