Human Washing Machine?

Imagine stepping into a machine that washes, massages, and dries you automatically—no need for soap, scrubbing, or drying off with a towel. This concept, first seen at the 1970 Japan World Exposition, is making a comeback with cutting-edge technology and big ambitions for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo. Let’s explore the journey of the “human washing machine,” from its origins to its modern revival, and what it could mean for the future of hygiene and wellness.

The idea of a human washing machine began with Sanyo Electric Co., now known as Panasonic Holdings Corp. During the 1970 Japan World Exposition, Sanyo introduced the world to the Ultrasonic Bath. This egg-shaped machine automatically filled with hot water and released ultrasound waves to clean the bather. It also added plastic balls that massaged the person’s body. The public was amazed, with long lines of visitors eager to see this glimpse of the future.

At the time, many homes in Japan didn’t have private baths, and public bathhouses were the norm. The Ultrasonic Bath sparked the imagination of visitors, including a young fourth-grader named Yasuaki Aoyama. Seeing the machine filled him with wonder about the possibilities of future technology. While the Ultrasonic Bath never made it into homes, its vision of automated personal hygiene remained in the minds of dreamers like Aoyama.

More than 50 years later, Yasuaki Aoyama, now the chairman of Osaka-based showerhead maker Science Co., is bringing his childhood dream to life. His company is developing the next-generation human washing machine, called the “Mirai Ningen Sentakuki” (“human washing machine of the future”). This updated version is set to be unveiled at the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo inside the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion run by the Osaka prefectural and city governments.

Unlike its 1970 predecessor, the new human washing machine uses advanced sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and modern comfort features. Shaped like the cockpit of a jet fighter, it has a transparent cover that opens from the back. When a person sits in the center seat, the machine partially fills with hot water. Sensors in the seat monitor the bather’s pulse and other biological signals, ensuring the water’s temperature is just right.

Meanwhile, an AI system determines if the user is calm or excited. Based on the user’s state, it projects relaxing images on the inside of the transparent cover to help the person feel at ease. This combination of biofeedback, sensory immersion, and personalized cleansing creates a holistic, spa-like experience. The wash-and-dry cycle takes just 15 minutes, making it both efficient and luxurious.

One of the most exciting features of the Mirai Ningen Sentakuki is that visitors to the Osaka Kansai Expo will have the chance to try it out. Science Co. plans to allow 1,000 general visitors to use the machine during the expo, with seven to eight people able to experience it each day. The company has already begun accepting reservations on a dedicated website. This decision reflects the public’s long-standing fascination with futuristic hygiene devices and the appeal of experiencing “the future” firsthand.

Science Co. isn’t stopping at an expo exhibit. The company’s ultimate goal is to create a home-use version of the Mirai Ningen Sentakuki. This would bring the dream of an automated home spa into reality. Imagine coming home after a long day and stepping into a machine that measures your stress, adjusts the water’s temperature, plays calming visuals, and leaves you clean and refreshed in just 15 minutes.

While home-use models aren’t ready for release yet, the dream is “about 70 percent there,” in Oct. 2023 according to Aoyama. With the development of microscopic bubble technology for showers and bathtubs already under his company’s belt, Science Co. is well-positioned to make this vision a reality.

If successful, the human washing machine could become a game-changer for personal hygiene, wellness, and relaxation at home.

The concept of a human washing machine isn’t just a flashy technological gimmick. It addresses several modern needs and potential future challenges. Here’s why it matters:

1. Accessible Hygiene: Automated bathing could benefit people with limited mobility, such as the elderly or people with disabilities. The ability to sit, relax, and let the machine handle the process could significantly improve their quality of life.
2. Personalized Well-Being: With AI monitoring stress levels and offering tailored visual content, this machine promotes mental well-being. Stress relief and relaxation are essential in modern, fast-paced life.
3. Water and Energy Efficiency: A machine that optimizes water use and shortens the bathing process could contribute to water conservation efforts. This aspect is especially important as global water scarcity becomes a growing issue.
4. Technological Showcase: The Mirai Ningen Sentakuki serves as a symbol of how far technology has come since 1970. It’s a showcase of AI, sensor technology, and human-centered design that could inspire future innovations in hygiene and wellness.

From a boy’s wonder at an expo exhibit to a modern marvel of science and engineering, the story of the human washing machine is a testament to the power of imagination and perseverance.