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NEWS
Massage Robotics develops one of the world’s first life-sized massage robots
POSTED 17 Mar 2023 . BY Megan Whitby
Christian Mackin pictured with Massage Robotics life-sized AI-powered massage robot; Alex Credit: Massage Robotics
Brothers Christian and Sean Mackin are taking touchless therapy a step further by creating one of the first life-sized massage robots.

They’re co-founders of tech start-up Massage Robotics and have launched an AI-powered robot, named Alex, which is attached to a motorised bed and has two arms with interchangeable attachments to deliver a range of therapeutic techniques, such as kneading, rolling, vibrations, heat or electric pulses.

Users can select pre-existing massage routines from an app, create their own or verbally communicate with Alex to adjust its motion path or pressure in real-time.

“The robot remembers client preferences so it can deliver a perfect massage every time,” explains Christian, co-founder and CEO, who owns a product design and engineering firm.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Spa Business, Mackin explained the inspiration for Massage Robotics came to him in 2013 following a severe off-road accident which left him with a broken back and neck.

He says: “During physical therapy and rehabilitation, I imagined a robot that could both help me (and others) feel better as well as relieve therapists from their repetitive work.”

The Mackins believe robots will solve many problems facing the massage therapy industry; labour shortages, issues with body privacy, lingering nerves about close contact and COVID-19, as well as affordability and time management.

“We’ll only offer a Robot-as-aService (RaaS) monthly subscription for B2B wellness clinics,” says Christian, as the cost of the device is not practical for most operators.

He anticipates the RaaS will be equal to a therapist’s monthly salary and that “pricing will be competitive to make a strong business case in markets across the world”.

He explains: “While a typical person may work around 2,000 hours per year, a robot is potentially capable of working 8,000 hours, so can be significantly more productive.”

That said, Christian is keen to emphasise that Massage Robotics isn’t trying to replace the vital role of human touch in spas. “I know introducing a robot into a 5,000-year-old, human-centric therapy is disruptive but we’re not trying to make a robotic hand that exactly replicates a human hand.

“We’re designing a robot that can approximate some therapeutic modalities and using biomimicry to apply those therapies. Using video recordings, we capture the human motions and then design algorithms that recreate them through the robot.

“It’s a unique experience to be touched by a massage robot. You have to feel it to understand it. The robot moves like a human and talks like a human, but Alex has superhuman memory.”
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  FEATURE: Talking point: The metaverse


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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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NEWS
Massage Robotics develops one of the world’s first life-sized massage robots
POSTED 17 Mar 2023 . BY Megan Whitby
Christian Mackin pictured with Massage Robotics life-sized AI-powered massage robot; Alex Credit: Massage Robotics
Brothers Christian and Sean Mackin are taking touchless therapy a step further by creating one of the first life-sized massage robots.

They’re co-founders of tech start-up Massage Robotics and have launched an AI-powered robot, named Alex, which is attached to a motorised bed and has two arms with interchangeable attachments to deliver a range of therapeutic techniques, such as kneading, rolling, vibrations, heat or electric pulses.

Users can select pre-existing massage routines from an app, create their own or verbally communicate with Alex to adjust its motion path or pressure in real-time.

“The robot remembers client preferences so it can deliver a perfect massage every time,” explains Christian, co-founder and CEO, who owns a product design and engineering firm.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Spa Business, Mackin explained the inspiration for Massage Robotics came to him in 2013 following a severe off-road accident which left him with a broken back and neck.

He says: “During physical therapy and rehabilitation, I imagined a robot that could both help me (and others) feel better as well as relieve therapists from their repetitive work.”

The Mackins believe robots will solve many problems facing the massage therapy industry; labour shortages, issues with body privacy, lingering nerves about close contact and COVID-19, as well as affordability and time management.

“We’ll only offer a Robot-as-aService (RaaS) monthly subscription for B2B wellness clinics,” says Christian, as the cost of the device is not practical for most operators.

He anticipates the RaaS will be equal to a therapist’s monthly salary and that “pricing will be competitive to make a strong business case in markets across the world”.

He explains: “While a typical person may work around 2,000 hours per year, a robot is potentially capable of working 8,000 hours, so can be significantly more productive.”

That said, Christian is keen to emphasise that Massage Robotics isn’t trying to replace the vital role of human touch in spas. “I know introducing a robot into a 5,000-year-old, human-centric therapy is disruptive but we’re not trying to make a robotic hand that exactly replicates a human hand.

“We’re designing a robot that can approximate some therapeutic modalities and using biomimicry to apply those therapies. Using video recordings, we capture the human motions and then design algorithms that recreate them through the robot.

“It’s a unique experience to be touched by a massage robot. You have to feel it to understand it. The robot moves like a human and talks like a human, but Alex has superhuman memory.”
RELATED STORIES
Erin Lee founds Touchless Wellness Association with backing from Gharieni, Art of Cryo and Halotherapy Solutions


A new global industry organisation dedicated to touchless wellness therapies has been launched by industry consultant Erin Lee.
FEATURE: Spa People: Christian Mackin


We talk to the founder behind the first life-sized massage robot
AI-powered robotic manicures launching at US airport spas in 2023


Global health and wellness holding company XWell has partnered with Clockwork to launch AI- driven robot manicures in select US XpresSpa airport spas.
FEATURE: Talking point: The metaverse


As the internet becomes more ‘human and physical’, should you be jumping on board the fast-moving metaverse train sooner rather than later?
MORE NEWS
Das Central, Sölden’s new rooftop spa area connects guests with the outdoors
A new rooftop spa area has been added to modern alpine escape Das Central in the heart of Sölden, high in the Austrian Alps, to refresh the property’s wellness offering.
UK Retailer, John Lewis, moves into preventative health and exercise prescription with 'Every Athlete' programme
UK-based retailer, John Lewis, is launching a service which will enable customers to be proactive about managing their health, while also getting advice about exercise and nutrition.
Arch Amenities expands into Canada and announces collaboration with Natura Bissé
Arch Amenities Group (AAG) has branched into Canada with the acquisition of Personal Best Health and Performance, a Canadian leader in corporate wellness services.
Tourism think tank explores gender equity and male allyship
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In the world of wellness, the age-old tradition of sauna bathing is synonymous with relaxation, detoxification and rejuvenation. But, a crucial and sometimes overlooked part of the journey is the all-important cooldown. [more...]

Dynamic 2024 ISPA Conference Power Session keynotes unveiled
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COMPANY PROFILES
Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial, flagship brand of The Beauty Health Company, is a hydradermabrasion pioneer with a rich [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-11 Jan 2024

Hot Springs Connection Conference

Murrieta Hot Springs, United States
25-28 Jan 2024

Les Thermalies, the water & well-being exhibition

Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS