Do you have a quarter of an hour? That's all the time you need to be as clean as ever. No, that's not the promise of an 80s commercial, but the reality of a robotic shower that's about to debut in Japan. Science Co., a company specializing in shower heads, has done a double somersault with a twist: a total body cleansing capsule that not only washes and dries you, but also monitors your stress levels.
I read from the Japanese newspaper Asahi Simbun that this device could change the way we take care of our personal hygiene forever. I say: maybe.
Robotic shower, a project that comes from afar
La robotic shower It's not such a recent idea as you might think. The first prototype dates back to 1970, when the Sanyo Electric Co. (now part of Panasonic) presented a human washing capsule at the Osaka Expo. Yes, a “person washer.” The device used hot water, microbubbles, and ultrasonic waves to clean test subjects.
Eiji Yamaya, a former Sanyo engineer now 84 years old, recalls with a hint of nostalgia:
We aimed to create very small bubbles, which we felt would remove more dirt, but technically this was difficult.
That first attempt never reached mass production, but the idea was never completely abandoned. And today it “comes back to me,” like peppers. What could possibly go wrong?
Technology at the service of wellbeing
The new robotic shower goes far beyond simple cleaning, as I said. Integrated sensors scan the user's back to measure levels of stress e fatigue. Based on the collected data, the device projects relaxing images synchronized with the person's physical and mental state.
It makes me smile to think that something so reminiscent of the cryogenic pods in “Alien” could actually be designed to help us relax, but technology often takes unexpected turns, especially in the land of the Rising Sun.
Robotic shower, from prototype to everyday reality
Science Co. has big plans for the future. After a first approach in 2022, and after having their robotic shower tested by 1.000 attendees at the Osaka Expo (again?), the company intends to prepare it for home use. The president Yasuaki Aoyama He said at a recent conference that the project is “70% complete.”
The development team can count on the valuable advice of Yamaya and the 90 year old Manatsu Ueda, ex Sanyo designer. A very young group, but with great experience with the original prototype of the 70s, which could be decisive to avoid the mistakes of the past. Once again: maybe.
The Future of Personal Cleanliness
Fifteen minutes for a complete wash may seem a lot or a little, depending on your daily rituals. But the real innovation lies in the holistic approach: it is not just about cleaning, but an experience that unites hygiene, tech e well-being.
Japan is once again proving itself as a pioneer in combining technology and daily life. Hoping that, if it works, there won't be a generation of people in a few years who refuse to get out of the shower to meet the rest of the world.
In any case, you, yes, you: would you be ready to be washed by a robot?
