I tested the robotic massage, and here is what I felt.
80 % of French people complain of pain in the back according to INSEE, and of course, I am a part. The cause? The mental charge of everyday life, the age that advances or even a bad posture behind the computer. Even if I love massages in spas and institutes, it requires a big budget, when you know that a massage costs an average of 80 euros for 1 hour.
So when I discovered that it was possible to have a robot piloted by artificial intelligence, at the price of 1 to 3 euros per minute, I said to myself why not? After all, you have to live with your time, and AI is everywhere.
Go to the epigenetic house in Paris to live a massage with Iyu (the little name of the robot). At first glance, I am a little disappointed, expecting a robot resembling a human, a bit as if R2-D2 had swapped his role as Droid Astromech to become a masseur. But in fact, Iyu looks more like a giant articulated arm, a bit like a kitchen robot arm … except that it does not chop vegetables, it massages my back. Even if I am told that he reproduces the gestures of the hand, I find it difficult to imagine passing it on my back without hurting myself.
Confidence quickly comes back when I parameter the session on the touch screen (duration, pressure, contraindications). I sit on the heating table, and the session starts. Iyu begins by scanning my body to target his gesture. That’s it, let’s go. The arm is laid on my back. After the impression of having been scanned in an MRI machine, the sensation becomes pleasant. The arm adjusts to the movement of my body and my breathing. Thanks to the remote control, I can adjust the pressure. Finally, relaxation is coming.
After 30 minutes, the arm stops, and a bell tells me that the session is over. It’s time for the balance sheet. Yes, it was effective. I feel more relaxed, but this robotic session has lacked human warmth, essential things at a moment of well-being in my eyes. You cannot ask Iyu to insist on an area of the body (my cervical would need it, however). Set the pressure with a remote control, like the volume of the TV, seems less human than the kindness of a practitioner who asks: “Are you well installed?”, “Are you hot or cold?”, “Is everything fine?”.
On the other hand, I must admit that for those who need to be massaged regularly or who are not comfortable with human contact, Iyu is an excellent alternative. In addition, as it is a robot, there are a lot of slots available. Technologically, it is at the forefront. It was designed by AI algorithms that digitized the actions of therapists and physiotherapists. Technology even gave rise to a patent.
So, is the future of massage lies in a machine? I might not go so far, but it is an excellent complementarity for those looking for a regular and accessible massage.
