Panasonic'S Hair-Washing Robot

It wets ..., it washes ... it massages ... and it rinses. Panasonic has developed a hair-washing robot that uses 16 electronically controlled fingers to give even the dirtiest hair a makeover.. The robot is a little smaller than a washing machine and can run automatically from start to finish in about 3 minutes.. It was developed to assist caregivers in hospitals and health-care facilities and the idea for it came from personal experience, explained Yukio Honda, director of Panasonic's robot development, center., Yukio, Honda, Director Panasonic Robot Development Center''. I been thinking for a long time about developing a robot that used a pair of hands.. While I was thinking about that, I had to enter hospital.. I was in hospital for two weeks, but my hair was washed. Just two times. Women said they wanted their hair washed everyday, but the nurses are very busy and can't manage it.. I thought that if we had a robot, it would be possible.''. One of the biggest challenges in designing the robot was getting it to apply just the right amount of pressure as it washes and massages. To get that right. Sensors are installed that scan the head of users to get an idea of the shape. Once done. This information can be remembered for next time.. Honda hopes the robot can one day contribute to helping the elderly and people with limited mobility, contribute more to society. Yukio Honda, Director Panasonic Robot Development. Center''. If you don't wash your hair, you can't feel stylish and then it's more difficult to be part of society.. You can set this robot to automatically wash your hair.. If you know your hair is clean, it's easier to talk to people., So helping people stay clean can contribute to them leading an independant life.. We think our robot could be a benefit to those people.'' While not well known for its robotic technology. Panasonic is hoping to build its research into a US $ 1.2 billion business by 2015.. Its Osaka-based robots lab has already developed several prototypes, including a porter robot that can be used to assist in pulling heavy objects. There's also a robot that that can assist with serving food and washing dishes. Panasonic hasn't provided a launch date for any of the robots.. It hopes that hospitals will be among the first customers of the hair, washing bot. In Tokyo. This is Martyn Williams, IDG News Service,