Panasonic’s Head Care Robot is being tested on the public at the Super Hair Seo salon in Nishinomiya, near Osaka. Customers sit back in the comfortable reclining chair, placing their head into a somewhat normal appearing wash bin; except this one is full of robotic fingers and spray jets.
When you sit down, the sensors scan your head to determine the size and overall shape, with the system being able to adapt to many different head shapes, Panasonic says. Jets gently spray warm water and shampoo onto your scalp, and that’s when the 24 robotic fingers take over. Sixteen rub and knead your scalp, while the remaining eight massage the back of your neck. Once the shampoo is completed, the robot gives a conditioner rinse along with further massaging. The process in completed with a blow-drying.
Panasonic spokespeople say a human obviously has less than half the fingers, and wouldn’t be able to such a complete massage or washing experience with the same level of relaxation. One of the hopes for the machine is that it could one day help with elderly care or assist disable users. Panasonic is currently conducting further trials at other salons and after getting feedback and suggestions they hope to be able to bring the technology to market soon.