Fact Checked by 
There once was a “human washing machine” that caused quite a buzz at the 1970 Japan World Expo. Fast forward over 50 years, and this quirky concept is getting a 21st-century revamp for the upcoming Osaka Kansai Expo in April.
Back in the day, Sanyo Electric Co. (now Panasonic Holdings Corp.) unveiled the original machine. While it didn’t quite make waves in the market, the idea stuck around. Now, Osaka-based showerhead maker Science Co. is bringing the concept back to life, this time infused with cutting-edge technology.
Human washing machine. This device washes users in a pod-like chamber filled with water and microbubbles that effectively remove dirt from the skin. It also monitors vital signs to personalize the washing experience, adjusting water temperature for comfort and projecting calming… pic.twitter.com/70b6C9wf2j
— Victoria (@ilupaulownia) November 24, 2024
Other companies are attempting to make inroads into the personal robotics market. In April, ReadWrite reported that Apple was reportedly developing a mobile robot designed to follow users around their homes, along with an advanced tabletop device featuring a robotic arm to move a display. Whether it will also assist with personal hygiene remains to be seen.
How and where to try out the human washing machine
Meanwhile, the futuristic “Mirai Ningen Sentakuki” (or “human washing machine of the future”) will be on display at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, which is run by the Osaka prefectural and city governments. This time, visitors will get to hop in and give it a whirl themselves.
Science Co. is also planning to launch a home-use version, so this high-tech cleansing experience could eventually become part of everyday life.
Cited by Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun, the company’s chairman, Yasuaki Aoyama, stated: “We’re about 70 percent there.
“We plan to offer 1,000 general visitors an opportunity to use it during the expo.”
According to Aoyama, only seven to eight lucky visitors will get to experience this futuristic “wash-and-dry” each day. If you’re intrigued, you can snag a spot by reserving through a special page on the company’s website.
The human washing machine is designed to look like the cockpit of a jet fighter, complete with a transparent cover that opens from the back. Once you sit in the center seat, the machine partially fills with warm water. Sensors embedded in the seat then track your pulse and other biological data to make sure the water temperature is just right for you.
There’s also an AI system onboard. It gauges whether you’re feeling calm or a little keyed up and projects soothing images inside the transparent cover to help you feel fully refreshed.
The whole experience, from wash to dry, takes just 15 minutes. The company’s earlier literature states that its aim is to ‘wash the mind’ as well as the body by creating the most comfortable experience possible for the user.
Featured image: Midjourney
