Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), tech startups are automating a growing number of tasks, from construction sites to disinfection to massages.
“It's a robot, it can't replace hand massages,” explains Jonathan Grassi, masseur and massage world champion, immediately.
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“But he is very precise, very thorough and doesn’t get tired like people do. It doesn’t shy away from repetitive gestures,” he continues about iYU, which was unveiled at CES as the “first AI-powered autonomous massage robot.”
Fascinated by this large articulated arm that massages the backs of the most adventurous, many visitors stop in front of the kiosk of Capsix Robotics, the Lyon start-up that wants to democratize massage.
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“Numerous scientific studies show that they are very effective at improving sleep and reducing stress and back pain.” But this research is based on two massages a week… That’s not possible for everyone,” explains Carole Eyssautier, co-founder of Capsix Robotics.
The automated arm is already being used by Jonathan Grassi in his operations in spas and fitness studios in France and in the United States in Boulder, Colorado.
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“The customers love it. When they fall asleep, we often find a large smear of saliva on the screen, located under the face hole,” he says.
“And sometimes you just want to be in your own bubble, without anyone.”