Nigerian-American Engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi Unveils Robot That Braids Hair 5 Times Faster (video)
Nigerian-American engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi has unveiled HaloBraid, a robotic device designed to assist professional hairstylists with braiding.
In the video, the sleek machine is shown working alongside a stylist in a modern salon. The stylist starts each braid by hand, then feeds the hair into the device. HaloBraid takes over the repetitive weaving process and completes the braid much faster, while the stylist finishes and seals the ends.
According to the company, the device can finish individual braids up to five times faster than doing it fully by hand. It is designed to work with the stylist rather than replace them, helping reduce the long hours and physical strain that come with professional braiding.
The Harvard graduate and biomechanical engineer says the invention is designed to support hairstylists, not replace them, by automating the repetitive weaving process while leaving stylists in charge of preparation and finishing.
The invention has already attracted strong interest, with thousands of salons on the waiting list as the company prepares for its commercial rollout.
