Stepping into ila Only Spa at the luxurious Lotte New York Palace hotel, I expected a familiar, serene spa experience. However, my recent visit featured an unexpected twist: an artificial intelligence-powered robot from Aescape, a New York-based lifestyle robotics company, executed my massage instead of a human therapist. Aescape, founded by Eric Litman in 2017, aims to offer a consistent, customizable, and on-demand massage experience. Litman, inspired by his own health issues and frequent flying, secured $80 million in funding for a seven-year R&D effort that culminated in the world’s first customizable robot massage, launched in March. The Lotte New York Palace is the first hotel to partner with Aescape, introducing their robot massages on July 18. The service is also available at select Equinox gyms and Press Modern Massage in Manhattan.
Tristina Damico, the hotel’s spa director, noted the robot’s appeal to both hotel guests and locals in Midtown Manhattan, particularly for quick, oil-free sessions during lunch hours. The massages are booked through an app, costing $75 for 30 minutes. The robot aims to replicate the same experience for every client by storing their data and preferences.
Experiencing the robot massage involves wearing Aerwear, the brand’s spandex-like apparel. The system uses sensors to capture 1.2 million data points, mapping the user’s muscle structure. While the machine’s pressure felt intense even at moderate settings, it allowed easy adjustments via a control tablet. However, the session felt more clinical than a traditional massage and lacked the relaxing, pampering qualities I crave from human touch. Despite this, Aescape’s technology presents a novel, flexible option for travelers and those seeking a cost-effective, easily bookable massage.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/22/a-robot-that-gives-massages-this-is-what-it-looks-and-feels-like.html
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