Japanese technology company, Science, has unveiled an automated bathing machine that performs the full body cleaning process, from washing to massaging and drying, in just five minutes.
Project Usoyaro
Dubbed "Project Usoyaro," the automated bathing machine is described by Science as the solution to "taking a refreshing bath" for people who are too tired after a day's work to do anything but collapse into bed. Users simply lie down and the machine does the rest.
Assistant
According to Oddity Central, the concept of an automated bathing machine for humans is not new. At the 1970 Osaka Expo, Japanese electronics giant Sanyo introduced the "Ultrasonic Bath," an automated human washer-conditioner-dryer that performed the cleaning process in 15 minutes. However, the Ultrasonic Bath never made it to market.
Now, another Japanese tech company is looking to build on that idea, promising a commercialized bathing appliance for humans by 2025.
The latest iteration of the automated bathing machine, called Project Usoyaro, is part of Science's Mirable line and features the company's latest microbubble technology, as well as an array of monitoring sensors and an AI system to create an immersive bathing experience.
Beyond Bathing
"The goal with Project Usoyaro is not only to thoroughly clean the user's body, but also to provide mental care," Science said, as reported by Techeblog. "The automated bathing machine de-stresses the user, immersing them in soothing music thanks to the built-in sound system and entertainment display that lets users watch their favorite content while bathing."
The bathing chair cleanses deep into the pores of the bather's skin. (Osaka News)
Sensors
The bathing chair inside the machine is also equipped with ECG sensors to monitor the user's heartbeat.
Sensors inside the automated bathing machine can also measure the state of the user's sympathetic nervous system. The built-in AI system then uses the collected data to create the most relaxing atmosphere possible for the user.
Researchers use sensors to monitor the state of the nervous system to study the user's relaxation. (Osaka News)
Science plans to finalize the automated bathing machine for humans by 2024 and demonstrate it at the 2025 Osaka Expo.
Summary
Science's Project Usoyaro is an automated bathing machine that combines the latest cleaning technology with advanced sensors and an AI system to provide a relaxing and thorough bathing experience. The machine is expected to be commercialized by 2025, offering a solution for those who want to enjoy a refreshing bath without the effort.