Robotic massage company Aescape, which promises “the world’s most advanced massage,” wants to be the Uber of back rubs: An experience that’s easy to book and affordable.
Newly available at the Lotte New York Palace hotel spa, the 30-minute fully robotic massage is coming to multiple Manhattan Equinox locations by the end of August.
And unlike the Palace’s luxury massages — which cost $260 for 60 minutes — Aescape massages start at $60 for a 30-minute massage ($75 at the Palace) which the company says is comparable to an hour since there are two robotic arms that work with strong pressure. all the time.
But founder and CEO Eric Litman, who has been developing the technology for more than seven years, told The Post that he’s not trying to compete with traditional massages — or eliminate people’s jobs.
According to data from the International Spa Association (iSpa), there is a shortage of 29,000 massage therapists in the US. Litman believes there is room in the $5.6 trillion wellness industry for automated services that can reach people who might not have the time or money for a conventional massage.
“It’s not designed to be the experience you would have in a spa with a massage therapist,” Litman told The Post. “We think this can also become a tool for therapists … it’s an opportunity to expand their relationships with their clients by having something that can be done between sessions.”
And then there’s the most important question: What does a robotic massage actually feel like?
After booking your massage through the company’s app, you start by changing into the provided ‘Aerwear’ – a thin set of top and leggings that prevents chafing.
As you lie face down on a massage table, sensors can scan your body and create a personalized plan.
“These sensors create a 3D model of your body that will truly personalize the massage… and between each visit, it will remember you and know the things you like,” Litman explained.
Throughout the massage, a touch screen below the head cradle allows you to make comfort changes: “You can change the pressure, change the music, change where on the body [the robot] it’s working,” Litman added.
The robotic wrists, made of a strong but soft foam material, resemble a human palm more than fingers. By applying firm, adjustable pressure, they were effective in stretching my back and legs.
I missed the precision of human fingers digging into the joints of my back, but the comfort and reliability of the Aescape is a serious plus.
Litman, who founded several media and technology companies before Aescape, launched the brand after experiencing pain that could only be relieved by a daily massage that was, over time, expensive and difficult to schedule.
Aescape owns the machines and licenses them to spas and gyms – and, potentially, sports arenas, private homes and offices in the future – for $250 a day.
“It was definitely a bit ahead. And I felt that in the earliest days, trying to raise money, trying to attract talent,” Litman told The Post from the company’s Flatiron headquarters. “This is the first real example of robots that come into contact autonomously with human bodies.”
But, he added, “You make a little investment. You learn a little bit, you evolve, you show, you involve people in the community who are inclined to be interested in such things.”
And New York City is the best place to do that, Litman said.
This story is part of NYNext, a new editorial series highlighting New York City’s innovation across industries, as well as the personalities leading the way.
“There’s spectacular health and wellness talent here in the city, and people who understand the capital markets and how to fund that. There’s really good technical talent that has grown over time as this has become such a startup hub— i.”
#Aescapes #massage #robot #poised #revolutionize #spa #industry
Image Source : nypost.com