MakerSpace
Moment
November 2021 | Issue 35
NAIL-PAINTING ROBOTS
Ever struggle with getting nail polish on? Robots are on their way to fix this problem. Three companies are working on creating a manicure robot that gets the job done perfectly every time.

Clockwork out of San Francisco offers $8 "minicures" with their robot, while half-robot, half-AI Coral sells their device directly to consumers for at-home manicures. Nimble is also looking at selling home devices both directly and through retail. See the videos below featuring these neat new robots and how they work.

#NoSmallTalk

With precision accuracy polish can be put on in about 10 minutes (drying time not included). You can be in and out without having to talk to a stranger as you try to hold still. Additionally, the robot can be easily sanitized, reducing risks of communicable diseases. Notably, Nimble can polish and dry nails under 10 minutes in the comfort of your own home. These devices along with safety measures will also under go testing like any medical device to make sure they are safe to use.

#NotFullService

These robots do a great job with a simple polish, but they don't replace nail salons. They can't trim or do extra services like designs. The goal is to be an addition to a salon that helps save time and bring in customers who normally wouldn't come in due to the length of appointments.
Clockwork
Nimble
Coral
References
Coral Teaser (short version). (2021). Vimeo. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://vimeo.com/378038855.

Rosen, E. (2021, June 1). Want your nails done? let a robot do it. The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/01/technology/robot-manicure-nails.html.

YouTube. (2021). Nimble | Perfectly Painted Nails. Every Time. (60sec). YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr6r7zZV0jA.

YouTube. (2021). Robot manicurist uses Ai to paint nails. YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLN8xPLVdFY.