Hair-washing robots from Guangdong Sheng Tai Health Technology Group will debut in Hong Kong this June under the Faxiaoka AI Hair Care brand.

The first store will feature six second-generation machines with hair-washing modules and massage tables.

These updated models include a drying function and QR code activation via smartphones. A basic hair-washing service will cost HK$99 (US$12.70).

The robots are partially automated, with staff needed to start the machine and adjust settings. The earlier model, priced under 20 yuan (US$2.70), did not include a drying function.

The company runs around 40 stores in China and aims to reach 100 by the end of June.

It is also exploring international markets, with machines shipped to Canada and interest from the US, Japan, and South Korea.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Beauty automation’s long journey to commercial viability

Faxiaoka’s hair-washing robot represents the latest chapter in a decades-long effort to automate beauty services, with earlier attempts dating back to at least 2011.

That year, a Japanese company developed a specialized robot with 24 “fingers” designed specifically for hair washing, though it never achieved widespread commercial adoption 1.

Panasonic similarly tested hair-washing robots years ago, demonstrating ongoing industry interest in automating this specific beauty service 2.

The new cost-effective model (19.9 yuan/$2.70 per wash) addresses a key factor that hindered previous beauty robots: finding the right price point for mass consumer adoption while maintaining economic viability for operators.

This pattern of incremental improvements toward commercial viability follows similar trajectories seen in other personal robotics categories, where early technology demonstrators gradually evolve into practical consumer services.

2️⃣ Labor economics driving beauty industry automation

Faxiaoka’s expansion into Hong Kong and potential moves into markets like Canada, the US, and Japan directly connects to global labor cost dynamics in personal care services.