Forget everything you know about your morning shower routine. A team of inventors in Japan just built a real-life car wash designed specifically for humans. You do not need soap, a sponge, or even the energy to stand up. You simply climb into a bizarre, futuristic cockpit and let a robot take over.
Science Co. officially launched the world’s first “human washing machine” this week to a stunned public. This incredible device blasts away dirt with high-tech bubbles while checking your heart rate. But this lazy luxury comes with a massive shock. The price sits at a staggering 60 million Yen, or about $385,000 USD. That is enough money to buy a house just to avoid scrubbing your back.
The Bubble Blaster
Science Co. calls their invention the Mirai Human Washing Machine. This company usually makes showerheads, but they decided to aim much higher. They built a pod that stands over two metres tall and stretches two and a half metres long. It looks like a spaceship ready for takeoff. A person climbs inside the comfortable seat and the hatch seals them in.
Once the cycle begins, the machine fills partially with hot water. But this is not a normal soak. The machine uses powerful jets to shoot microbubbles at the skin. These bubbles are incredibly small. They measure less than three micrometres in diameter. Science Co. claims these tiny bubbles dive deep into pores to remove grime, oil, and dead skin. When the bubbles burst against the body, they create tiny pressure waves. These waves knock the dirt loose. The process mimics industrial cleaning methods used for delicate electronics. But instead of computer parts, it cleans people.
Washing More Than Just Skin
The creators of this machine believe it does more than just hygiene. A spokesperson for the company stated that the machine washes the body but also washes the soul. To achieve this, the pod uses artificial intelligence to care for the bather. Sensors inside the cockpit monitor vital signs like heart rate. The computer reads these biological signals to figure out if the person feels stressed or calm.
If the sensors detect anxiety, the machine adjusts the experience. It projects relaxing images onto the interior walls of the pod. Soft music plays to soothe the nerves. The machine aims to create a total escape from the outside world. For fifteen minutes, the user floats in a bubble-filled haven. At the end of the cycle, the machine dries the person off. They step out clean, dry, and hopefully much more relaxed than when they went in.
A Fifty-Year Dream
This strange invention actually started half a century ago. A different company called Sanyo Electric showcased an “Ultrasonic Bath” at the Osaka World Expo in 1970. That early version looked like a bizarre egg. It used dozens of plastic massage balls to pelt the user and clean them. Huge crowds lined up just to see it.
A nine-year-old boy named Yasuaki Aoyama stood in that line. The machine fascinated him. He stared at it and imagined a future where everyone would have one. That boy grew up to become the Chairman of Science Co. He never forgot the excitement he felt that day. He decided to bring that childhood dream to life for the 2025 Osaka Expo. He wanted to finish what Sanyo started. But he traded the painful plastic balls for gentle, high-tech bubbles.
Luxury for the Few
Most people will not put one of these in their bathroom anytime soon. The massive price tag puts it out of reach for almost everyone. Science Co. plans to build only a tiny number of units. They will produce between 40 and 50 machines by hand.
Wealthy buyers already lined up to get one. An unnamed hotel in Osaka bought the very first unit. Five to eight other clients also reserved their own pods. These machines will likely end up in expensive spas, luxury hotels, and fancy hospitals. The company markets them as the ultimate relaxation experience for the rich.
The Future of Bathing
While this machine seems like a toy for billionaires, it serves a serious purpose too. Japan has many elderly people. As people age, bathing becomes difficult and dangerous. Slips and falls in the bathroom cause many injuries. A machine like this solves that problem. It holds the person safely in a seat. It monitors their health. It cleans them without a nurse needing to scrub them manually.
Science Co. sees this luxury model as a first step. They hope to mass-produce the technology eventually. If they can build them faster and cheaper, a home version might appear in stores one day. They want to create a world where robotic care helps the elderly live with dignity. For now, though, the human washing machine remains a rare curiosity. It stands as a symbol of how far technology can go to make our lives easier, provided you have a fortune to spend on a bath.
