the essential
The Science Co. company, based in Osaka, offers a revolutionary bathtub: a washing machine… humans. An innovation that revisits a concept from the 70s.
In less than six months, the Osaka-Kansai World Expo 2025 will open its doors, promising a showcase of tomorrow's technologies. Among the most astonishing innovations will be a washing machine… for humans! This futuristic creation, called “Mirai Ningen Sentakuki” (literally “human washing machine of the future”), promises to revolutionize our relationship with hygiene and well-being.
Designed by Osaka-based Science Co., this high-tech bathtub pays homage to a similar concept presented at the 1970 World's Fair, also in Osaka. But while the basic idea remains the same, the technology has taken a giant leap forward. “In my time, the human washing machine only washed the body, but this time, an advanced function that uses sensors to determine the condition of the body has been added,” the newspaper explains. The Mainichi Eiji Yamaya, 84, an engineer at Sanyo at the time and one of the designers of the original version.
15 minutes of doing nothing
The basic principle remains similar: a futuristic egg-shaped capsule, filled with hot water, in which the user partially immerses themselves. Ultrasonic waves generate millions of microbubbles which, when bursting, cleanse the skin in depth, eliminating impurities and dead cells without effort or soap.
But where the 2025 version stands out is through the massive integration of artificial intelligence. Sensors analyze the user's skin type in real time, identify areas requiring more thorough cleaning, and adjust the intensity of the ultrasound accordingly. Even more impressive, the machine assesses the bather's emotional state and stress level. Depending on the results, she adapts the atmosphere: projection of soothing images, diffusion of essential oils, everything is designed to transform this moment of hygiene into a real relaxation session.
In just 15 minutes, the machine promises to wash, dry and relax its user without the slightest effort on their part.
This technological feat would not have been possible without the collaboration between old and new innovators. Yasuaki Aoyama, 64, president of Science Co., called on Eiji Yamaya and Manatsu Ueda, 90, the designer of the original version.
If the idea of this washing machine – a version of which will be marketed, the company promises – may seem far-fetched, it is part of a broader trend of “augmented well-being” which should be omnipresent at Expo 2025.
