A machine in Japan is currently drawing plenty of attention because it sounds like something from a sci‑fi comedy sketch - yet it exists. Instead of feeding it socks and T‑shirts, you put an entire person into a fully automated washing cabin. What seems like a novelty act has pulled in tens of thousands of would‑be testers at a trade show, and it could dramatically reshape everyday hygiene for people who need care.
A “people‑washing machine” shaped like a space capsule
Called the Mirai Human Washing Machine, and built by the Japanese company Science Co., the unit looks more like a spacecraft cockpit than a bathroom fixture. The capsule is about 2.3 metres long: the user lies down inside, the lid closes, and the wash programme begins on its own.
Rather than using brushes or a shower head, the system relies on so‑called microbubbles - tiny bubbles of water that are pushed across the skin under pressure. The aim is to lift dirt and skin oils gently, with no vigorous scrubbing, no flannel, and very little conventional foam.
"The machine cleans and dries the entire body in around 15 minutes - the user has to do virtually nothing."
During the cycle, the water is kept at roughly 38°C. Afterwards, warm air dries the body. For the person inside, the experience is intended to feel closer to a brief spa treatment than a rushed post‑work shower.
AI reads emotions and adjusts light and sound
Science Co. is positioning the Mirai as more than an advanced shower. Inside the capsule are various sensors that capture physical data and responses. According to the manufacturer and reports in Japan, the machine can use this information to estimate a person’s emotional state in broad terms.
Using those signals, the system then controls lighting, visuals and audio, for example:
- calming projections on the capsule’s inner wall
- an adjusted lighting ambience, such as warmer light when stress is detected
- music or ambient soundscapes designed for relaxation
The concept is that body care should resemble a short wellness session. For people who struggle with showering, that could make the process feel far more comfortable emotionally than a conventional care routine with staff present in the bathroom.
40,000 people wanted to try the machine
The system was shown at the Expo in Osaka, where the capsule triggered a genuine wave of interest. The companies involved said they received over 40,000 requests from people hoping to test it in person - far more than the event could realistically accommodate.
Japan’s electronics giant Yamada Holdings was sufficiently convinced by the response to secure the distribution rights. The plan is to place the machine in a major flagship store in Tokyo for real‑world demonstration and promotion. At least initially, this is likely to be about PR impact and pilot deployments rather than large‑scale consumer sales.
"Step by step, the trade‑show gimmick is turning into a serious product category: automated hygiene with a comfort factor."
Why care facilities are watching closely
At first glance, a people‑washing machine can look like an expensive toy for technology enthusiasts. Look more closely, though, and a practical application becomes clear: care settings and medical environments.
People with severe mobility limitations - such as care‑home residents, post‑operative patients, or individuals with significant disabilities - often rely on assistance for personal hygiene. Showering, bathing and drying demand time and physical effort from staff, and those receiving help can find the process humiliating.
A largely automated capsule could offer several potential upsides:
- greater independence, as most of the process happens without hands‑on help
- reduced strain on care staff, freeing time for other tasks
- stable control of water and temperature, which can be gentler on skin and circulation
- clear, repeatable hygiene standards
In countries with ageing populations, staffing shortages in care are becoming increasingly urgent. A machine that takes on part of basic care fits directly into that debate - even if the idea feels unfamiliar.
The price is absurd - but the machine still signals a shift
The sticking point is cost. A report from Japan puts the Mirai at around 60 million yen, which is roughly 327,000 euros per unit. That is completely unrealistic for private homes, and even for care homes or hospitals it represents a major capital outlay.
An interesting comparison is with a standard bath: a full bath typically uses about 200 litres of water. At roughly 0.87 euros per fill, the day‑to‑day expense is modest. The Mirai is said to use about 120 litres per cycle, costing around 0.52 euros. In pure water terms, that’s a saving of about 0.35 euros per use.
"If you only factor in water prices, the machine would have to run for many thousands of years before the purchase price paid for itself."
That underlines the point: this system is not bought to cut water bills. Its value proposition is comfort, automation, and potentially lower staffing costs in institutions. Realistically, it would only be affordable through leasing models, partnerships with health insurers, or public support schemes within the care sector.
Automated hygiene has a longer backstory than most people realise
The concept of fully automated body washing is not entirely new. Back in 1970 - also at an Expo in Osaka - the electronics group Sanyo unveiled an automated ultrasonic bath. It was intended to wash, massage and dry the user, likewise in about 15 minutes. At the time it never moved beyond a prototype: the technology was too immature and demand too limited.
Today, the conditions are different. Sensors are smaller, AI is widespread, and many industrialised societies are ageing rapidly. The Mirai builds on older visions, but arguably combines market‑ready components for the first time: microbubbles, biometric sensors, software control, and a clearly defined target audience.
How microbubble technology works - and where it is already used
Microbubbles are already used elsewhere, including whirlpool systems, spas and certain skin treatments. Because the bubbles are so small, they have a large surface area relative to their volume. When they burst against the skin, they can mechanically dislodge dirt and oils without aggressive rubbing.
That can be beneficial for sensitive skin. Older adults, or patients with chronic skin conditions, often do not tolerate harsh scrubbing well. A carefully controlled microbubble treatment could be gentler. At the same time, the machine must be configured to avoid any sensation of cold and to protect particularly sensitive areas.
Where the people‑washing machine hits its limits
However appealing the idea of a fully automated wash cycle may be, several concerns remain. Not everyone will be comfortable lying naked inside a sealed capsule. Claustrophobia, loss of control and simple discomfort are real issues. There is also the practical question of how well the machine handles a wide range of body shapes and different impairments.
Data protection is another key topic. The capsule processes biometric information and user reactions. Who controls that data? Is anything stored, anonymised, or used to refine the product? In medical and care contexts, these questions carry significant weight.
There is also a cultural dimension. Bathing and showering are intimate routines, often tied to rituals, scents and familiar movements. Handing that experience to a machine may be a relief in a care home, but in a private bathroom it could feel like losing personal space.
What this could mean for the German‑speaking region
Whether - and when - a people‑washing machine such as the Mirai might appear in Germany, Austria or Switzerland is entirely uncertain. Early use would most plausibly happen through pilot schemes run by large hospitals or care‑home operators already investing in robotics and digital assistive systems.
In that region, regulators would likely scrutinise safety, hygiene certification and medical‑device approval. Insurers will also examine whether the economics work over the long term - for instance, if such a system reduces bathroom falls or helps prevent care‑related skin problems.
It will be particularly interesting to see whether, in a few years, this expensive pioneer model leads to slimmer, cheaper versions for specific audiences: for example, modular shower cabins with partial automation, integrated sensors and AI control, without costing as much as a flat.
What is clear is that the Mirai is more than a quirky trade‑show curiosity. It marks a point at which technology begins to automate even the most intimate everyday routines. Whether it is ultimately seen as a breakthrough for care or as another emblem of an over‑engineered society will depend heavily on who remains in charge - the person, or the machine.
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